Cost of Home Care in Kingston upon Thames

In Kingston upon Thames, the average cost for a basic live-in home care service is £151.29/day, whereas basic hourly care costs about £19.57/hr.

Introduction

Establishing the cost of home care services in the UK can be a complex process. This complexity arises from the diversity of needs of those seeking care and the different forms of care available. In Kingston upon Thames, the situation is no different. Whether you're looking for hourly, overnight, or live-in care services, multiple factors come into play, leading to variations in the final costs.

Hourly and Live-in Home Care: Overview

Generally, home care provision takes three main forms: hourly care, overnight care, which is usually calculated on an hourly basis but might hold lower rates if the carer would have chances to get some sleep, and lastly, live-in care services.

Understanding Hourly Home Care

Hourly home care primarily involves a caregiver coming to your home for a specified number of hours to assist with various tasks. This form of care is particularly suited to individuals needing less intensive support or whose families can supplement the care. The average price for basic hourly home care in Kingston upon Thames stands at £19.57 per hour.

The Concept of Live-In Home Care

In contrast to hourly care, live-in care means having a caregiver reside with the care receiver, providing round-the-clock assistance. This form of care is typically suitable for individuals requiring comprehensive support or those with significant safety concerns. Live-in home care costs in Kingston upon Thames average £151.29 per day. This pricing has higher variability since the care provision hours can significantly vary depending on the duty nature of each specific case.

Key Influencers of Home Care Cost

While all carers brought to you by PrimeCarers are self-employed and they set their rates, several factors account for the disparity in the costs of home care services. As such, when seeking a caregiver with certain skills and experience, you may anticipate the cost to be higher than average rates.

Driving License and Car Ownership

A carer possessing a driving license and owning a vehicle often charges higher than their counterparts. This scenario is because they can facilitate mobility operations for their clients, such as medical appointments and personal errands.

Experience with Specialised Care Needs

If you or your loved one requires assistance with special care needs like stomas or catheters, you might need to hire care providers with specialised skills in those areas. Given their higher competency level, these caregivers often charge more compared to the average costs.

Couple Care

Moreover, care provision for a couple presents another key cost influencer. A live-in caregiver generally works an additional 2-4 hours daily when caring for a couple, fuelling the rise in cost. Fortunately, hourly care does not require factoring in this aspect since the caregiver is always working for the hours they are paid for.

Culinary Skills

Additionally, a caregivers' cooking expertise influences care cost. As such, if caring for someone requiring specific dietary needs or simply experiencing quality homemade meals, hiring a carer with refined cooking skills becomes necessary, attracting higher charges.

Carer Vetting for Safeguarded Home Care

While focusing on cost, it is paramount to ensure that the caregiver on board is trustworthy and highly competent. In line with this assertion, PrimeCarers ensures every carer on their platform has undergone a thorough vetting process. The screening includes carrying out enhanced DBS certificates and ID checks, as well as confirming the right to work in the UK. Furthermore, there is a professional carer interview conducted by the PrimeCarers team to ascertain their caregiving competence and professionalism.

Conclusion

Costs associated with home care services in Kingston upon Thames vary significantly depending on numerous factors such as care-needs, carers' skills and experience, as well as the caregiving arrangement - whether hourly or live-in. To make an informed choice in seeking caregiver services without compromising on standards, it is crucial to understand these influencers. Fortunately, PrimeCarers promises not only help in breaking down these factors but also offers a robust pool of thoroughly vetted self-employed caregivers well-suited for different home care needs across Kingston upon Thames.