The Cost of Private Care: Finding the Best Carer for Your Loved One, at the right price

Private care costs between £16-£20ph, with longer shifts coming in at £14-17.50ph. Overnight care costs from £10-£18ph dependent on whether the carer is sleeping or awake and live-in care costs from £120-£175 per day, dependent on the level of complexity.

Understanding the cost of private care is crucial for anyone looking to provide high-quality care for their loved one. While finding the right professional carer is essential, ensuring you’re getting value for money is equally important. With a limited budget, it’s essential to know the costs associated with private care and what is a fair rate of pay that delivers the best outcome for everyone involved. Here, we lay out the cost of carers and how to find the best person for the job while staying within your budget.

Negotiate with Care and Respect

It’s important to approach negotiations with potential carers with care and respect. Squeezing them for a minimum price is a false economy as it may lead to negativity, resentment and, for most humans, an attitude of “I am not paid enough to make X my problem”. Therefore, it’s essential to be mindful and respectful during negotiations and ensure that the carer is paid a fair rate for their services. They need to feel that they are getting paid enough to honestly care.

Understanding the Different Types of Private Care

To better understand the costs of carers at home, it is important to consider the different types of care that are available. There are four primary types of care that you should be aware of: live-in care, hourly care, day care, and overnight care.

Live-in Care

Based on care complexity, live-in carers cost £125-£250 daily. Most work for around £135 a day. Add £5 daily for food and £50 weekly for travel. With PrimeCarers, pay 10%-20% extra for finding and handling carers. Agencies charge 30%-60% more for live-in carers.

Hourly Care

Private home care costs £15-£18 per hour. This includes travel time and mileage. Actual cost depends on things like work needed, location, experience, and care type. With PrimeCarers, you may pay 10%-20% more, whilst agencies may add 40%-60%.

Day Care

Day care involves shifts that last six hours or longer, usually starting around 9am and ending around 5pm or 6pm. Shifts cost 5%-10% less than regular hourly work, as travel time is minimised. You should expect to pay around £12.50-£15 per hour for day care. When using a platform like PrimeCarers, you should expect to pay an additional 15%, while agencies may add 30%-60%.

Overnight Care

There are two types of overnight care: waking and sleeping nights. Waking nights usually cost 5%-20% less than day care. They help with bedtime, sundowning issues, and morning tasks. Nights are calmer, and shifts are 10-12 hours long, so travel time matters less. Expect to pay £10-£12 per hour for sleeping nights and £12.50-£15 for waking nights. Using PrimeCarers adds 15% more, while agencies may add 30%-60%.

Factors Impacting the Cost of Private Care

There are various factors that can impact the cost of private care, including:

• Emotional labour: Providing care for individuals with mental illnesses or degenerative diseases, or end-of-life care can require more emotional labour and be more challenging for carers.
• Physical labour: The less independent someone is, the more physical work is needed to care for them. Factors such as height and weight can also affect the amount of physical labour required.
• Location: Private carers in urban areas tend to charge more than suburban and rural ones. However, carers in rural and remote areas may also charge more due to transportation costs and limited supply.
• Experience: Carers with advanced qualifications and specialized training, such as nursing or specialist care training, are likely to charge more than those without.
• Type of care: Special care, like advanced dementia care or using complex machines, can cost more.

Care platforms like PrimeCarers add 10%-20% to labour costs. They find suitable carers and handle many tasks. They also support carers in fixing problems early. This is worth the cost. Other platforms may take 30%-50%, so check if carers are paid fairly. Agencies like Bluebird, Helping Hands, and Nightingales cost more. They take 40%-60% for office work and may charge extra. Their contracts can lock you in for weeks or months.

If you can manage it, private care is certainly the best and most cost-effective way to go, whether you go it entirely alone, or with the help of a platform.

A Step-By-Step Guide to Choosing the Best Carer for Your Loved One

Knowing what affects private care cost will help you find the best carer for your loved one. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you through the process:

1. Find your loved one’s needs: Learn what care your loved one needs. This includes help with daily tasks, medical care, or emotional support.
2. Set a budget: Choose how much to spend on private care. Consider care types, costs, and extra expenses like travel and food.
3. Search for care providers: Look for good care platforms like PrimeCarers or agencies to find skilled carers. Compare services, fees, and terms to find the best fit.
4. Interview carers: Talk to some carers to learn about their experience, skills, and personality. Ask about their past clients, care style, and when they can work.
5. Check references and skills: Ask for references from past clients and check the carer’s skills, certifications, or licenses.
6. Talk about expectations and pay: Tell the carer what you expect and discuss their pay. Make a deal that works for both sides.
7. Draft a care contract: Once you’ve selected a carer, create a care contract outlining the terms of the arrangement, including the scope of care, schedule, compensation, and any other relevant details. Make sure that you review and sign the contract before care begins.

Keep on top of it

• Monitor the care provided: Stay involved in your loved one’s care by regularly communicating with the carer and periodically checking in to ensure the care meets your expectations. Encourage open communication and be open to adjusting the care plan as needed.
• Evaluate and review: Evaluate the care being provided and the carer’s performance. Discuss any concerns or adjustments with the carer to ensure the best possible care for your loved one.
• Maintain a healthy relationship with the carer: Establishing a positive and respectful relationship with the carer is essential for ensuring high-quality care. Remember that the carer is a professional providing a valuable service, and treat them with respect and appreciation.

By following this step-by-step guide, you’ll be on your way to finding the best carer for your loved one within your budget. The price depends on several factors, so being informed and prepared to negotiate is essential. The most important thing is to provide your loved one with the. Care and support they need, and finding the right carer is the first step in making that happen.