Every kind of care
Every kind of care in Merton, with what it costs here
Each row is a level of help, with the price carers near Merton charge and how much of it there is locally.
The kinds of care in Merton
From the least help to the most. Each row links to its section below.
- Companionship visitsCompany, outings and errands£19 to £22 an hour26 nearby carers write about it
- Visiting carePersonal care and help at set times£19 to £22 an hour320 carers within about 45 minutes of Merton
- Overnight careA sleeping or waking night£160 to £250 a night28 of the nearest carers do nights
- Live-in careA carer living in, day and night£1,015 to £1,122 a week100 live-in carers within reach
- Care homeA room, meals and care, away from homeabout £1,300 a week12 homes without nursing in Merton
- Nursing homeA care home with nurses on shiftabout £1,595 a week12 nursing homes in Merton
Visit and live-in prices are what carers near Merton charge on PrimeCarers, our fee included, November 2026. Night prices are the range on PrimeCarers. Care home counts are from CQC registrations in Merton. Care home fees are the median for homes in England that publish one, because too few homes here publish theirs.
Help during the day
Help at home during the day in Merton
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.
- 320 carers are based within about 45 minutes of Merton, charging £19 to £22 an hour with our fee included, typically £20.
- 31 of the 55 with a rate on their profile drive, which matters for trips out and for visits outside the towns.
Zahara H.8 years caring“I try to bring a sense of normality into each visit too, whether that is a proper meal, a shared puzzle or simply time to talk, because I know companionship matters as much as the physical support.”£18.80 an hourProfile →
Hadi K.7 years caring“My days are built around hourly visits, moving between clients across the week, and the part I enjoy most is simple companionship: sitting with someone, having a chat, and letting the conversation go wherever it wants to go.”£25 an hourProfile →
Harriet O.Mitcham · 6 years caring£20 an hourProfile →
“I would have given her 6 stars if I had been able. She is really bubbly and puts you at your ease, which is really important in personal care. Once she finishes the key tasks she just gets on with lots of other work without being asked. She is just one of those people that looks around, sees what needs to be done and does it. She is super professional and I would and probably will, work with her again.”
“Aman came to support my Dad's care when we were at crisis point. We have really appreciated his calm and professional approach. Without his support we wouldn't have been able to navigate bringing and keeping Dad at home.”
Companionship
Visits for company rather than personal care: a conversation, a walk, the shopping or a lift to a club.
- Of the 46 nearest carers with a full profile, 26 write about companionship, conversation or days out in their own profile.
Mario Da Assuncao N.Greater London · 4 years caring“Companionship matters to me just as much as the practical side, and I try to make sure clients feel at ease rather than simply managed.”£20 an hour1 reviewProfile →
Israela C.20 years caring“Day to day this means help with eating and drinking, dressing, bathing, toileting and hoist or catheter care, alongside medication reminders, cooking, laundry and simply being good company.”£20 an hourProfile →
Betty N.London · 20 years caring“I enjoy the company as much as the care itself. A cooked meal at the table, a walk if someone fancies it, a chat about a book or whatever is on the television, these small things matter to me.”£20 an hourProfile →
“My mum's last few months were most definitely a lot easier with Carla there for both my mum and for me; She is an empathetic listener and also gives very sound advice. She cared effortlessly for my mum and often came up with solutions to 'challenges' that I did not know how to manage. I would thoroughly recommend her and also say, that anyone who has the privilege to have Carla caring for them will be very fortunate.”
“Carla is an exceptional, kind, professional carer. She cared for my mum with Alzheimer’s with endless patience and kindness, always arriving with a smile and a positive attitude, despite having to deal with lots of the the challenging behaviour that Alzheimer’s brings.”
Companionship care explainedCarers who share a hobby in Merton
Personal care
Help with washing, dressing, the toilet and continence, from the same carer each time.
- Of the 46 nearest carers with a full profile, 32 describe personal care in their own words, not just on a checklist.
Donna R.Surbiton · 15 years caring“I have supported people through a wide range of conditions, from dementia and Parkinson's to stroke recovery, diabetes and end of life care, and I am comfortable with the full range of personal care, from bathing and medication to hoist and catheter care.”£20 an hourProfile →
Lorraine R.Greater London · 10 years caring“During my time as a career I assist with personal care, household duties, I am a compassionate,caring and kind Harding working person.”£25 an hourProfile →
Alefah R.Sutton · 23 years caring“Early on I sat with a terminally ill patient through their final weeks, supporting them and their family through it, and that experience has shaped how I think about dignity and comfort in care ever since.”£19.20 an hourProfile →
“My father was an intelligent man with a good sense of humour and Mario was an amusing and affectionate companion - he for example looked out my father's favourite music music, engaged him in conversation and made sure he was as comfortable as possible. Mario is generous, capable, kind and entirely reliable. He engaged with my father in a warm and thoughtful way. My father was extremely lucky to have him.”
“When my step-father was dying and not any longer at home she made sure they spoke on the phone. This effort she made still moves me to tears. She understands Dementia and how it affects human beings-how it can make them. She is endlessly patient. My Mother trusted her and found her absence hard to deal with. She could also be trusted with money.”
Help with a condition
Care for a condition or a change in health in Merton
Dementia care
Care from someone who has looked after people with dementia before and knows how to keep a day calm.
- Of the 46 nearest carers with a full profile, 28 write about caring for someone with dementia.
Elmare H.Worcester Park · 14 years caring“I have a wide range of skills and experience in caring for clients with MS, Dementia, Parkinson’s, Cerebral Palsy, Motor Neurone disease across various age groups.”£18 an hour3 reviewsProfile →
Sheleena C.London · 13 years caring“I have gained training in Medication, Health and Safety, Manual Handling, First Aid, Fire Safety, and Dementia”£23 an hour2 reviewsProfile →
Milton R.Mitcham · 6 years caring“I once sat with a gentleman whose dementia had left him agitated and calling for his son. Rather than rush him, I held his hand and began humming an old Frank Sinatra tune.”£19 an hour1 reviewProfile →
“Maria cared for my elderly aunt from 2017 until she passed away in 2020. My aunt had complex care needs having suffered a stroke which left her paralysed down her right side. She also suffered from dementia. Maria was fabulous with my aunt and enabled her to fulfil her wish of remaining in her own home until she passed away. I cannot recommend Maria highly enough.”
“Sarah has helped to improve the quality of my mother’s life and increased her self esteem and it is reassuring to know that she is giving my mother the best care.”
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 46 nearest carers with a full profile, 28 write about Parkinson's, stroke, MS or motor neurone disease.
Charity N.Mitcham · 15 years caring“In that time I have supported people with dementia, Parkinson's, stroke, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy and heart disease, as well as people living with anxiety, depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.”£20 an hourProfile →
Shingi Caroline M.London · 20 years caring“I've supported people with dementia, Parkinson's, stroke recovery, multiple sclerosis, and conditions like arthritis, diabetes and heart disease.”£23 an hourProfile →
Janice O.Croydon · 25 years caring“I offer hourly and visiting care across Croydon, and in 25 years I have supported people with a huge range of conditions, from dementia, Parkinson's and stroke to learning disabilities, autism and mental health needs such as anxiety and depression.”£21.50 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 46 nearest carers with a full profile, 18 write about helping someone home from hospital or through a recovery.
Ann Marie B.Thornton Heath · 23 years caring“Whether it’s accompanying a client to an important hospital appointment or organising a delightful birthday brunch with family, my thoughtful approach creates cherished moments that bring joy.”£19.20 an hour2 reviewsProfile →
Indhu S.Mitcham · 1 years caring“That grounding has given me confidence with a wide range of needs, from dementia, Parkinson's and stroke recovery to arthritis, respiratory illness and end of life care.”£20 an hour2 reviewsProfile →
Jacqueline N.20 years caring“When one of my clients fell seriously ill outside my usual hours, I took him to hospital myself and stayed by his side for two days.”£19.70 an hourProfile →
Palliative care at home
Support at home for someone who is very ill, alongside the district nurses and the GP.
- Of the 46 nearest carers with a full profile, 17 write about palliative care or caring for someone who is very ill.
Sarah Y.Morden · 27 years caring“I also have experience within residential and nursing as well as working within the field of palliative care.”£25 an hour3 reviewsProfile →
Maureen L.London · 17 years caring“I am calm, honest and reliable, and I have supported people through all sorts of challenges, including dementia, Parkinson's, stroke recovery, mobility problems and end of life care.”£20 an hour4 reviewsProfile →
Amira B.Mitcham · 12 years caring“I have spent 12 years providing hourly and overnight care, and in that time I have supported people with an enormous range of needs, from dementia, Parkinson's and stroke recovery to spinal injuries, respiratory illness, cancer and end of life care.”£20 an hour1 reviewProfile →
“Carla is exceptionally really and and honestly made my Mum’s last 18 months the best they could possibly be. She was not only an amazing Carer to my mum but also her friend and companion, her supporter and her challenger sometimes but every way making my mum’s life better. She is incredibly efficient and strong and never hesitated when she needed to make a tough decision.”
Nights and round the clock
Care at night and around the clock in Merton
Overnight care
A carer spends the night in the house, either sleeping and on hand, or awake all night.
- Of the 46 nearest carers with a full profile, 28 offer overnight care.
- £160 to £190 for a sleeping night and £165 to £250 for a waking night on PrimeCarers.
Zion I.Greater London · 22 years caringDoes nightsProfile →
Justice Onyekachi E.Croydon · 10 years caring“I am based in Croydon, with ten years of professional care behind me across hourly, live-in and overnight visits.”Does nightsProfile →
Rose Danstan K.New Malden · 6 years caring“That steadiness carries into how I look after people too, and it's shaped how I work over six years of care in New Malden, offering both hourly visits and overnight care.”Does nightsProfile →
Respite care
Cover so the person who does the caring can stop for a while, from a few visits to a fortnight.
- Of the 46 nearest carers with a full profile, 34 do nights or live-in care, which is how most respite is covered.
Michael B.Mitcham · 4 years caring£18.50 an hour1 reviewProfile →
Ebony M.Mitcham · 3 years caring“I'm based in Mitcham and offer hourly and overnight care, with three years' experience supporting people with a wide range of conditions including dementia, Parkinson's, stroke, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy and physical disabilities, as well as those…”£20 an hourProfile →
Harriet O.5 years caring£23.50 an hourProfile →
Live-in care
One carer lives in the home and is there through the day and night, with a daily break.
- 100 live-in carers are based within about an hour of Merton.
- A week here costs £1,015 to £1,122 with our fee included, typically £1,050.
- Of the 46 nearest carers with a full profile, 16 also do live-in care as well as visits.
Allen N.Sutton · 20 years caring“I have spent twenty years working in care around Sutton, offering hourly visits, live-in placements and overnight stays, and I still think the quiet moments matter just as much as the practical ones.”£160 a day1 reviewProfile →
Sharon R.Croydon · 25 years caring“I have also worked with non-cerbal autistic children, providing personal care, tutoring and rehabilitating them in the community, some of whom have progressed to semi-independent living with assistance.”£145 a day2 reviewsProfile →
Aman A.Surbiton · 7 years caring£140 a day3 reviewsProfile →
“We cannot speak highly enough of the care that Angelique gave, and would recommend her to anyone else needing a live-in carer. I would add that she was totally trustworthy around the house too, and with my mother's belongings.”
Care homes
Care homes and nursing homes in Merton
All 23 with a Care Quality Commission rating are rated good or outstanding, 1 of them outstanding. Few homes here publish their fees; among homes in England that do, a residential place typically costs about £1,300 a week and a nursing place about £1,595. A live-in carer here costs £1,015 to £1,122 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 Merton 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 Merton
54 home care agencies for older people in Merton
320 private carers near Merton
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 Merton profiles the best-rated private carers nearby.
Paying for care
Help paying for care in Merton
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 Merton sets out each route and who to contact.
Questions
Questions families in Merton ask about the types of care
320 carers within about 45 minutes of Merton offer care at home, from companionship visits to live-in care. Away from home, 24 care homes in Merton take older people, 12 of them with nursing and 18 registered to care for people with dementia.
For one person it is usually about the same: a live-in week here is typically £1,050 with our fee included, against about £1,300 for a care home place. 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 24 care homes in Merton that take older people, 12 provide nursing. 18 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 Merton sets out each route.
