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The cost of home care in Down averages £19.00 per hour for basic hourly care and £150.00 per day for basic live-in care.
If you are looking for care for a few hours a day, our average advertised rate is £19.0/hour.
Search Hourly CarersIf you're looking for a live-in carer, then prices can vary, but our average price for a single patient is £1,073/week.
Search Live-in CarersIf your live-in carer needs to be woken more than twice a night then an overnight relief carer can be hired a few nights a week to give the carer a chance to sleep.
Search Overnight CarersPlease Note: The above prices are fully inclusive of our 10-20% fee, and there are no other hidden costs.
Carers with different skills and experience levels will charge different rates.
Shorter visits are usually more expensive than longer visits, and live-in care is usually the most cost-effective option.
If your property in Down is hard to reach by public transport, carers may charge more to cover their travel costs.
The easiest way to find the correct price for your care, is to search for a carer today! Try our carer search below to see which carers are available in your area.
Fully Independent Carers: Independent carers typically charge between £15 and £25 per hour. This rate reflects the absence of intermediary fees, as clients engage directly with carers, allowing for personalised arrangements and potentially lower costs. However, clients bear the responsibility for vetting, insurance, and managing employment obligations.
Platform-Based Carers: Platforms like PrimeCarers offer a middle ground, connecting clients with vetted, insured, and supported carers. The average hourly rate ranges from £16.50 to £25. This model provides a balance between cost-effectiveness and support, as platforms handle administrative tasks and offer resources, ensuring quality and reliability without the higher fees associated with traditional agencies.
Traditional Agency Carers: Traditional care agencies charge higher rates, typically between £25 and £35 per hour. These fees encompass comprehensive services, including recruitment, training, management, and quality assurance. The higher costs reflect the agencies' operational expenses and the added value of managed services, offering clients convenience and peace of mind.
Private Carer | Traditional Agencies | ||
---|---|---|---|
Cost | Good | Excellent | Poor |
Choice | Excellent | Poor | Poor |
Control | Excellent | Excellent | Poor |
Consistency | Excellent | Moderate | Poor |
Quality | Excellent | Poor | Poor |
Safety | Excellent | Poor | Excellent |
The cost of home care in Down averages £19.00 per hour for basic hourly care and £150.00 per day for basic live-in care.
Although a significant factor is defined by the self-employed carers on the PrimeCarers platform who deal with setting their own prices, we still provide guides on average costs. It's beneficial to know that all prices discussed throughout this page are merely averages drawn from advertised rates for carers in Down.
On average, our home carers charge £19.00 per hour for their basic services in Down. In contrast, live-in care—a far more immersive and demanding form of home care requiring the carer to live with the client—generally costs about £150.00 per day. It's important to understand these are just averages; the cost may vary depending on many different factors that we will discuss further.
Certain skills and experiences can lead to a slight increase in the cost of care. For instance:
Driving License: Carers who hold a valid driving license might charge more due to the added mobility and convenience they can offer.
Owning a Car: If a carer owns a car, it further enhances their ability to accompany and transport seniors to appointments, outings, and errands.
Medical Expertise: Experience handling specialised medical equipment or procedures such as stomas or catheters may also affect the cost.
Experience in Caring for Couples: Carers who are comfortable and have experience in catering to the needs of couples may charge a bit more for their valuable service.
Culinary Skills: A carer with good cooking skills can be a boon for clients who cherish home-cooked meals and reasonable nutrition.
These reasons can lead to a slightly higher pricing structure. However, it's important to remember that these can lead to a higher quality of care, creating a healthier and more comfortable environment at home.
When considering the cost of care, it's important to note that live-in care will have a higher price variability as it must account for a range of duties and hours worked. A live-in carer might expect to work an additional 2-4 hours a day when caring for a couple, which will have a knock-on effect on cost.
With hourly care, this isn't necessarily a factor. The carer is always working for the hours they're paid, making the cost somewhat more predictable and controlled. All of these factors are negotiable based on your situation and needs.
While all carers on the PrimeCarers platform are self-employed, we ensure a high standard of qualification by thoroughly vetting each one. This stringent process includes Enhanced DBS certificates, ID checks, Right to Work checks, and professional carer interviews conducted by our team.
Please refer to our Complete Guide to Home Care for further information on how to choose the right care for your loved ones.
Understanding the cost of home care in Down can help families make an informed choice about their loved ones' care. Prices can vary based on different factors, including whether the care is hourly or live-in, the skills and experience of the carer, and any additional requirements.
Remember, the ultimate aim of PrimeCarers is to provide an efficient and streamlined platform for finding quality care that meets your needs. Whether you need basic hourly care, live-in attention, or specialised care catering to particular medical needs, there are options available to suit everyone. Please visit our Find Home Care in Down page to browse available carers in your area.
It is important to assess not just the cost, but also the value of the care and the skill level of each carer. Paying a little extra to ensure a loved one is safe, comfortable, and cared for by a trained professional is often a wise investment, leading to a happy and nurturing home environment.
For those considering live-in care or who are looking for care solutions for couples, our article on Can Live-in Carers Look After Couples? provides insight on this specific service.
Although the cost of care can seem daunting at first, remember that quality home care is invaluable. It has the potential to transform the lives of the elderly and those in need, enabling them to enjoy their golden years with peace, dignity, and the comfort of their own homes. As always, we're here to help. We're just one click away at PrimeCarers.
By James Bowdler
I founded and manage PrimeCarers, a Platform that connects Private Clients with Private Carers near them.