Understand the cost of live-in care, how TrustonTap compares, and how to plan and fund 24-hour support at home.

Choosing live-in care is a big decision — emotionally, practically, and financially. This guide is designed to give you clear, honest information so you can make the best choice for yourself or a loved one.

What is Live-in Care?

Live-in care means having a professional carer live in your home full-time to provide support whenever it’s needed. It’s an alternative to moving into a care home, allowing you to stay in familiar surroundings while receiving tailored one-to-one care.

A live-in carer can help with:

• Personal care (washing, dressing, toileting)
• Medication prompts and monitoring
• Meal preparation and household tasks
• Mobility support and falls prevention
• Companionship and emotional support
• Specialist support for conditions such as dementia, Parkinson’s, stroke recovery and more

Because your carer lives with you, there is always someone there to provide reassurance and support, day and night.

Typical Cost of Live-in Care in the UK (2026)

In 2026, most UK live-in care providers charge somewhere between £1,200 and £2,000 per week for a single person, depending on the level of need, location and provider model. Highly specialist or complex packages can cost more.

As a guide:

• Standard live-in care: roughly £1,200 – £1,700 per week
• Specialist or complex live-in care: roughly £1,400 – £2,000 per week
• Live-in care for couples: usually higher than a single person but often significantly better value than two separate care home fees

These figures are indicative only. The actual cost for your family will depend on your specific situation, needs and location.

Important: Always ask any provider exactly what is included in the weekly fee (for example carer’s travel, food, holiday cover, additional equipment) so you can compare like-for-like.

Where TrustonTap sits in the Marketplace

TrustonTap offers live-in care across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and surrounding areas. Our aim is to provide high-quality one-to-one support at home, with clear and transparent pricing.

As a broad guide:

• Standard live-in care with TrustonTap typically starts from around £1,200 per week for a single person.
• Specialist live-in care (for example advanced dementia or complex conditions) will usually cost more, reflecting the skills and experience of the carer.
• For couples, live-in care is often substantially more cost-effective than paying two separate care home fees, while allowing you to remain at home together.

This means TrustonTap is positioned competitively within the UK live-in care market: not the very cheapest, but focused on trusted, vetted carers, continuity of care, and good value for one-to-one support at home.

If you would like a tailored quote, please contact our team on 0808 278 1112 or request a call-back via our website.

What Affects the Cost of Live-in Care?

The weekly price can vary based on several factors:

• Level of need
  More complex medical or behavioural needs, or waking-night support, will cost more than primarily social or companionship care.
• Location
  Areas with higher living costs and higher demand for carers typically have higher weekly rates.
• Provider model
  Fully-managed services may charge more than introduction-only services, but often include more ongoing support and oversight.
• Carer experience and qualifications
  More experienced or specialist carers understandably command higher rates.
• Single person vs couple
  Supporting two people in the same household costs more than caring for one person, but may still offer good value compared to two separate care home places.
• Duration and flexibility
  Emergency, short-term or respite arrangements may attract premium rates compared to long-term care plans.

Live-in Care vs Care Homes vs Hourly Care

When comparing costs, it’s important to look at the whole picture: not just the weekly fee, but what you receive in return.

Live-in care

• Approx. £1,200 – £2,000 per week (single person)
• One-to-one support in your own home
• 24-hour presence
• Familiar environment, independence and flexibility
• Often strong value for couples

Residential care home

• Approx. £1,000 – £1,500 per week, the average is £1,298 but in the South East of England this rises to £1,446 or £75,192 p.a.
• Accommodation and communal facilities
• Shared staff and less individual time
• Structured routines in a new environment

Nursing home

• Approx. £1,500 – £2,000 per week, the average is £1,535 but rises to £1,706 in SE England.
• Similar to care homes, with on-site nursing support
• Suitable for high medical needs

Hourly / visiting care

• Charged per hour (£20 – £40 per hour)
• Care visits at set times
• Lower overall cost for low or moderate needs
• Limited continuity and no overnight presence

For people with higher support needs — and especially for couples — live-in care can be comparable in cost to care homes, while offering the key benefit of staying at home.

How Do People Pay for Live-in Care?

Families often use a combination of the following to fund live-in care:

• Self-funding
  Using income, savings, pensions or equity release from property.
• Local authority funding
  Depending on a needs and means assessment, your local council may contribute to care costs.
• NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC)
  For people whose primary need is a health need, the NHS may fund care in full.
• Benefits
  Such as Attendance Allowance, Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Carer’s Allowance, which can help with ongoing costs.
• Financial products
  For example equity release or specialist care-fee annuities (professional financial advice is recommended).

TrustonTap cannot provide regulated financial advice, but we can help you understand your options and signpost you to appropriate organisations.

Planning & Budgeting for Live-in Care

Some practical steps to help you plan:

1. Clarify the level of need
   Speak with your GP, hospital team or social services about current and likely future needs.
2. Get clear quotes
   Ask providers for written quotes that show what is included and any extra costs.
3. Think about timeframes
   Is this likely to be short-term (for example after a hospital stay) or long-term care?
4. Involve the family
   Make sure everyone understands the cost, the value and what live-in care offers compared to alternatives.
5. Review regularly
   Needs and finances can change; review your care plan and budget at least once a year.

FAQs About Live-in Care Costs

Is a care home more expensive than Live-in care?

In many cases, yes. Residential care homes in the UK often cost £1,000–£1,500 per week, and nursing homes can cost £1,500–£2,000 per week for full-time support.

Live-in care usually starts from £1,200–£2,000 per week, depending on the level of need. For people who need one-to-one care or who want to remain at home, live-in care can offer better value because it provides personalised support at a similar or sometimes lower cost than a care home.

For couples, live-in care is usually far more affordable, as one live-in carer can support both people — whereas care-home fees are charged per person..

Why do Live-in care prices vary so much?

Prices vary because people’s needs vary. A person requiring primarily companionship and light support will cost less than someone who needs complex, around-the-clock assistance from a very experienced carer.

How much does Live-in care with TrustonTap cost?

Standard live-in care with TrustonTap typically starts from around £1,200 per week for a single person. The exact cost will depend on your location, care needs and the carer’s skills and experience. We will always provide a clear, personalised quote.

Is there help available with paying for live-in care?

Yes. Depending on your situation, you may be eligible for funding from your local authority, NHS Continuing Healthcare, or benefits such as Attendance Allowance or PIP. We can help you understand who to speak to and what to ask.

Can live-in care be a temporary solution?

Absolutely. Live-in care can be arranged for short-term support, such as after a hospital stay, or to give a family carer a break (respite care), as well as for longer-term arrangements.

In Summary

• In the UK in 2026, live-in care typically costs between £1,200 and £2,000 per week for a single person.
• TrustonTap’s live-in care usually starts from around £1,200 per week, offering competitive value for one-to-one support at home across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire.
• Costs vary depending on needs, location, carer experience and whether one person or a couple is receiving care.
• For many families, especially couples, live-in care can offer a strong blend of value, independence and continuity compared to residential options.