Every kind of care
Every kind of care in Essex, with what it costs here
Each row is a level of help, with the price carers near Essex charge and how much of it there is locally.
The kinds of care in Essex
From the least help to the most. Each row links to its section below.
- Companionship visitsCompany, outings and errands£19 to £22 an hour28 nearby carers write about it
- Visiting carePersonal care and help at set times£19 to £22 an hour2,390 carers within about 45 minutes of Essex
- Overnight careA sleeping or waking night£130 to £160 a night31 of the nearest carers do nights
- Live-in careA carer living in, day and night£1,050 to £1,190 a week46 live-in carers within reach
- Care homeA room, meals and care, away from home£1,400 a week212 homes without nursing in Essex
- Nursing homeA care home with nurses on shiftabout £1,410 a week86 nursing homes in Essex
Visit and live-in prices are what carers near Essex charge on PrimeCarers, our fee included, October 2026. Night prices are the range on PrimeCarers. Care home counts are from CQC registrations in Essex. Care home fees are the median of the homes here that publish them.
Help during the day
Help at home during the day in Essex
Visiting care
A carer comes for an hour or more at the times you agree, such as a morning call to help someone up and washed.
- 2,390 carers are based within about 45 minutes of Essex, charging £19 to £22 an hour with our fee included, typically £20.
- 36 of the 57 with a rate on their profile drive, which matters for trips out and for visits outside the towns.
Simone L.21 years caring£25 an hour1 reviewProfile →
Israel Osejie O.Harlow · 2 years caring“My working week is built around steady, dependable visits and stays, whether that's a few hours here and there, overnight support, or moving in as a live-in carer.”£19 an hourProfile →
Samuel O.Chelmsford · 5 years caring“I sat with them rather than rushing through the visit, and slowly they told me they'd developed a fear of choking after something that happened in hospital.”£20.80 an hourProfile →
“I literally can't say enough about Nechelle. She is the most amazing professional carer. She cared for my mum for almost 2 years. She was compassionate and caring at all times. At the same time she was extremely efficient and professional. As a family we felt my mum was in such capable caring hands. Whoever has Nechelle as their carer will be extremely fortunate. I recommend her wholeheartedly.”
Companionship
Visits for company rather than personal care: a conversation, a walk, the shopping or a lift to a club.
- Of the 44 nearest carers with a full profile, 28 write about companionship, conversation or days out in their own profile.
Caroline M.Westcliff-on-Sea · 15 years caring“I can help with sitting services, nights, outings, and general support thank you for considering me.”£19 an hour1 reviewProfile →
Fatou D.Harlow · 10 years caring“But what I value most is simpler than that: sitting down for a proper conversation, cooking a meal together, or going out for a walk.”£19.20 an hour1 reviewProfile →
Olusegun O.Chelmsford · 3 years caring“Much of my work centres on companionship, sitting down for a proper chat, sharing a meal I've cooked, or heading out together for a change of scene.”£18 an hour2 reviewsProfile →
“I had Lynette V as a carer for my mother. Sadly my mother passed away in October. She was an excellent carer whose care I could not fault. She was always punctual and someone who I could rely on totally. She was always cheerful and looking for ways to stimulate my mother. She became her "friend" and provided best care always. As a senior nursing Sister myself I would recommend as a carer without hesitation.”
“Excellent. Highly professional, intelligent, diligent and sensitive with a high level of energy. Would highly recommend Nechelle for clients with dementia. She brought fun and stimulation into mums life.”
Companionship care explainedCarers who share a hobby in Essex
Personal care
Help with washing, dressing, the toilet and continence, from the same carer each time.
- Of the 44 nearest carers with a full profile, 36 describe personal care in their own words, not just on a checklist.
Natalie S.Uttlesford · 10 years caring“I also help with washing, dressing, moving and handling, medication reminders, PEG feeding and colostomy care, alongside cooking and cleaning.”£22.50 an hourProfile →
Linda N.Harlow · 8 years caring“I can help with all aspects personal care and delight domestic duties. Being a mum I know what care is all about.”£20 an hourProfile →
Rosemarie G.Hornchurch · 14 years caring“Rosemarie is also experienced in day to day management of personal care; maintaining and upkeep of wellbeing.”£20 an hourProfile →
“Kirsty truly represents the very best of what a “carer” should be. It is not just her job title – she embodies the true meaning of the word. She went above and beyond her duties to care for my mum, always ensuring her welfare and safety. She supported my mum in every way possible and made sure she never went without anything. She carried out all her work with a huge smile and wonderful energy.”
“My mum enjoys his company and looks forward to his arrival which is a good endorsement of his behaviour and level of care he shows her.”
Help with a condition
Care for a condition or a change in health in Essex
Dementia care
Care from someone who has looked after people with dementia before and knows how to keep a day calm.
- Of the 44 nearest carers with a full profile, 33 write about caring for someone with dementia.
Carole L.Rayleigh · 30 years caring“I offer hourly, overnight and live-in support, and over the decades I've built experience across an unusually wide range of conditions, from dementia, stroke and heart disease to arthritis, respiratory illness, cancer and end of life care.”£21 an hourProfile →
Sandra H.Chelmsford · 40 years caring“Over the years I have trained and gained experience in Dementia care, Mental Health, learning Disabilities, Diabetes care, Spinal injuries,Palliative care Medication administration as well as Stoma and Catheter care and have an NVQ level 2 in social care and…”£19 an hourProfile →
Antonio Joao N.Colchester · 5 years caring“I have spent five years supporting people with a wide range of needs, from dementia and Parkinson's to stroke recovery, poor mobility and end of life care, and I speak English, Spanish, Portuguese and Brazilian, which has helped me build easy rapport with…”£19 an hourProfile →
“Nechelle looked after my mum who had dementia, she was kind,caring and had amazing empathy for my mum's situation. Nechelle helped my mum with personal care and often sat and chatted to her.i would recommend Nechelle as a carer.nechelle has a sunny disposition always has a smile on her face.”
Care for Parkinson's, stroke and other conditions
Carers who have looked after someone with a particular condition, such as Parkinson's, a stroke or MS.
- Of the 44 nearest carers with a full profile, 30 write about Parkinson's, stroke, MS or motor neurone disease.
Tolulope A.Romford · 10 years caring“That reliability has been built over ten years of hands-on care work across Romford, where I have supported people through dementia, stroke, heart disease, cancer, Parkinson's and end of life care, among many other conditions.”£19 an hour1 reviewProfile →
Samuel A.Southend-on-Sea · 2 years caring“I've spent two years working as a carer in Southend-on-Sea, offering hourly visiting care and overnight support, and in that time I've built up experience across a genuinely wide range of conditions, from dementia, stroke and Parkinson's to arthritis,…”£18.10 an hour1 reviewProfile →
Tabitha G.Basildon · 12 years caring“Over 12 years I have supported people with dementia, Parkinson's, stroke, heart disease and a range of physical disabilities, as well as those needing end of life care or recovering after surgery.”£20 an hourProfile →
Care after a hospital stay
A few weeks of extra help at home while strength and confidence come back after a hospital stay.
- Of the 44 nearest carers with a full profile, 20 write about helping someone home from hospital or through a recovery.
Kehinde O.13 years caring“I hold a master's degree in health and social care, and my career has taken me through supported living services, hospitals and private homes, which has taught me to adapt to whatever setting or situation I find myself in.”£18.80 an hour1 reviewProfile →
Marieta R.Brentwood · 8 years caring“Before I moved into care, I spent thirty years working in a hospital imaging department as a fully qualified radiographer.”£21.80 an hour2 reviewsProfile →
Danielle A.Benfleet · 2 years caring“I have supported people living with dementia, Parkinson's, stroke, heart disease, respiratory illness and arthritis, as well as those recovering from operations or living with reduced mobility, and I keep my DBS on the update service so families always have…”£19 an hour1 reviewProfile →
Palliative care at home
Support at home for someone who is very ill, alongside the district nurses and the GP.
- Of the 44 nearest carers with a full profile, 19 write about palliative care or caring for someone who is very ill.
Rebecca A.Ongar · 23 years caring“I have experience with dementia, Parkinson's, stroke, diabetes and heart conditions, as well as end of life care, so I am comfortable adjusting my support as needs change.”£20 an hour1 reviewProfile →
Kirsty N.Basildon · 5 years caring“I offer hourly and visiting care in Basildon, and over five years I have supported people living with a wide range of conditions, including dementia, Parkinson's, stroke, heart disease and arthritis, as well as those needing end of life care or recovering…”£24 an hour1 reviewProfile →
Martha P.Chelmsford · 10 years caring“I also speak French, and I'm just as happy helping with the practical things, cleaning, laundry, admin, as I am providing end of life care or supporting someone through recovery after surgery.”£25 an hour1 reviewProfile →
Nights and round the clock
Care at night and around the clock in Essex
Overnight care
A carer spends the night in the house, either sleeping and on hand, or awake all night.
- Of the 44 nearest carers with a full profile, 31 offer overnight care.
- £130 to £145 for a sleeping night and £150 to £160 for a waking night on PrimeCarers.
Musilimat Ajoke A.Romford · 8 years caringDoes nights1 reviewProfile →
Cynthia K.Basildon · 5 years caringDoes nights1 reviewProfile →
Tolulope S.Harlow · 2 years caring“Based in Harlow, I offer hourly and overnight care, and I have come to enjoy steady, hands-on support the most, the kind where you get to know someone's routine properly.”Does nights1 reviewProfile →
Respite care
Cover so the person who does the caring can stop for a while, from a few visits to a fortnight.
- Of the 44 nearest carers with a full profile, 33 do nights or live-in care, which is how most respite is covered.
Victoria G.Harlow£18.50 an hour1 reviewProfile →
Ini E.Basildon · 5 years caring“My working week can look quite different from one month to the next, from nine hour daytime visits to a three month spell as a live-in carer, and I have found I settle into both with the same calm, steady approach.”£22.50 an hourProfile →
Frederick L.Harlow · 10 years caring“That grounding has never left me, and I bring it into every home I work in around Harlow, where I offer both hourly visits and live-in care.”£21.20 an hourProfile →
Live-in care
One carer lives in the home and is there through the day and night, with a daily break.
- 46 live-in carers are based within about an hour of Essex.
- A week here costs £1,050 to £1,190 with our fee included, typically £1,120.
- Of the 44 nearest carers with a full profile, 11 also do live-in care as well as visits.
Susan H.Southend-on-Sea · 12 years caring“Based in Southend-on-Sea, I offer hourly, live-in and overnight care, and over twelve years I've supported people through dementia, Parkinson's, stroke recovery, arthritis and many other conditions, always trying to meet each person where they are rather than…”£150 a day2 reviewsProfile →
Lisa R.Basildon · 15 years caring£149 a day1 reviewProfile →
Michael F.Chelmsford · 4 years caring“I'm based in Chelmsford and have spent four years supporting people at home, through hourly visits, overnight stays and live-in care.”£180 a day2 reviewsProfile →
Care homes
Care homes and nursing homes in Essex
220 of the 274 with a Care Quality Commission rating are rated good or outstanding, 5 of them outstanding, and 54 are rated requires improvement or inadequate. The homes here that publish their fees charge a median of £1,400 a week for a residential place. A live-in carer here costs £1,050 to £1,190 a week, so for one person the two cost about the same, and for a couple live-in care costs far less.
Elderly care in Essex helps you weigh care at home against a care home, and care at home or a care home goes through what to ask a home before choosing it.
Agencies or private carers
Home care agencies and private carers in Essex
416 home care agencies for older people in Essex
2,390 private carers near Essex
Every carer on PrimeCarers has passed an enhanced DBS, identity and right-to-work check and an online interview before they appear (how we check carers). Agency or private carer compares the two, and the best home carers in Essex profiles the best-rated private carers nearby.
Paying for care
Help paying for care in Essex
Attendance Allowance is not means tested and can go towards any of these. The council assesses needs for free and contributes once savings fall below £23,250, and NHS Continuing Healthcare pays in full when needs are mainly health needs. Funding home care in Essex sets out each route and who to contact.
Questions
Questions families in Essex ask about the types of care
2,390 carers within about 45 minutes of Essex offer care at home, from companionship visits to live-in care. Away from home, 298 care homes in Essex take older people, 86 of them with nursing and 212 registered to care for people with dementia.
For one person it is usually about the same: a live-in week here is typically £1,120 with our fee included, against a median of £1,400 for a care home place in Essex. For a couple, one live-in carer costs about £1,350 a week, far less than two care home places. Care at home or a care home goes through the decision.
A nursing home is a care home with registered nurses on shift, for people who need nursing as well as care, such as wound care or complex medication. Of the 298 care homes in Essex that take older people, 86 provide nursing. 212 are registered to care for people with dementia. The difference between a nursing home and a care home explains how to tell which is needed.
Often, yes. Attendance Allowance is not means tested and helps with the cost of care at any level. The council contributes once savings fall below £23,250, and the NHS pays in full when needs are mainly health needs. Funding home care in Essex sets out each route.