Home care is professional support provided to someone in their own home, rather than in a care home or hospital. It enables people to remain living independently in familiar surroundings for as long as it is appropriate for them, rather than moving into a residential facility.

Home care can range from a few hours of help each week to round-the-clock live-in support. It is used by older people, people with long-term conditions, those recovering from illness or surgery, and people living with dementia, Parkinson’s or other complex needs.

What does home care include?

Home care covers a wide range of support, depending on what someone needs. It is not limited to medical or personal care; good home care supports the whole of a person’s daily life.

Personal care

• Washing, bathing and showering
• Dressing and grooming
• Toileting and continence care
• Help with skin care and reducing pressure-related risks

Health and medication

• Medication prompting and management
• Noticing changes in wellbeing and raising concerns with family or the GP
• Supporting recovery after illness, surgery or hospital discharge
• Liaising with district nurses, GPs and other healthcare professionals

Practical and household support

• Meal preparation and cooking
• Light housekeeping — cleaning, laundry, tidying
• Shopping and errands
• Accompanying to appointments and outings

Companionship and wellbeing

• Conversation, company and emotional support
• Support with hobbies, activities and maintaining interests
• Helping someone stay connected to their community and social life
• Providing family carers with respite and peace of mind

The exact combination of support is tailored to everyone. A care plan sets out what is needed and how it should be provided, and is updated as circumstances change.

Types of home care

Home care is not one single thing — it is an umbrella term for several different types of support. Understanding the difference helps families choose the right option for their situation.

Hourly visiting care

Hourly care involves a carer visiting the home for a set number of hours to help with specific tasks. Visits can happen once a day, several times a day, or a few times a week depending on what is needed.

Hourly care works well when support needs are moderate and predictable. It can help people who are largely independent and need help with certain parts of the day: getting up in the morning, preparing meals, or taking medication.

Live-in care

Live-in care means a professional carer lives in the home and provides support throughout the day, with overnight presence and agreed breaks and rest periods. Unlike visiting care, the carer is available when needed, rather than arriving and leaving at set times.

Live-in care is suited to people who need a higher level of support, or who benefit from having one consistent, dedicated carer rather than a rotating team. It is often comparable in cost to a residential care home, while allowing the person to remain at home.

Respite care

Respite care provides short-term cover to give family carers a break. It can be planned or arranged at short notice when a carer is unwell or unavailable.

Overnight care

Overnight care provides support specifically during the night. This may be a sleeping night, where a carer is in the home and available if needed but otherwise sleeps, or a waking night, where a carer provides active support throughout the night for someone who needs regular attention.

Specialist home care

Some carers have specialist training in specific conditions: dementia, Parkinson’s, MS, acquired brain injury, palliative care and others. Specialist care is matched to the individual’s specific needs and may cost more, reflecting the carer’s expertise.

Who is home care suitable for?

Home care is used by a wide range of people across a wide range of situations. It is not only for people with significant medical needs; many people use home care to maintain their independence and quality of life as they get older, or to manage a long-term condition more comfortably at home.

Home care is commonly used by people who:

• Are older and finding some daily tasks more difficult
• Are living with dementia and need consistent, familiar support
• Have a long-term condition such as Parkinson’s, MS or diabetes
• Are recovering from a stroke, surgery or a hospital stay
• Have mobility difficulties or are at risk of falls
• Are receiving cancer treatment and need practical and emotional support
• Are approaching the end of life and wish to remain at home
• Are part of a couple where one or both partners need support

When do families start considering home care?

Most families do not start thinking about home care until something changes. It may be a series of small signs — meals going unprepared, medication missed, a home that is less tidy than it used to be — or a more obvious event such as a fall or hospital admission.

These moments of concern are the most common trigger. But the families who find the transition to home care easiest are usually those who start exploring their options before the need becomes urgent.

Common triggers that prompt families to consider home care:

• A fall at home — with or without injury
• A hospital admission or planned surgery, and worry about what happens after discharge
• Increasing forgetfulness, confusion or signs of early dementia
• A diagnosis of Parkinson’s, MS, cancer or another long-term condition
• A family carer reaching the limits of what they can provide alone
• Concern from neighbours, friends or a GP about how someone is managing
• A loved one expressing that they are lonely, anxious or struggling

If any of these resonate, it is worth having a conversation. Understanding your options early makes the decision much easier when the time comes.

How is home care regulated in the UK?

Home care in England is regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) — the independent regulator of health and social care. Understanding how regulation works helps families make informed choices about the type of provider they use.

What the CQC does

The CQC registers, inspects and rates care providers against five key questions:

• Is it safe?
• Is it effective?
• Is it caring?
• Is it responsive?
• Is it well-led?

Each registered provider receives a rating of Outstanding, Good, Requires Improvement or Inadequate. Inspection reports and ratings are published publicly on the CQC website, so families can check any registered provider before deciding.

TrustonTap — how we are different

There are several ways to arrange home care in the UK, and the model you choose affects both the cost and the experience. It is worth understanding the difference.

Traditional domiciliary care agencies

A traditional domiciliary care agency employs carers directly, manages their rota and supervision, and charges an all-inclusive hourly or weekly rate. This model is CQC regulated and suits families who want a fully managed service. However, rates are typically higher, and you may see different carers on different days.

TrustonTap — an introductory agency

At TrustonTap we introduce families to experienced, self-employed carers and facilitate the arrangement between them. You pay your carer directly, which means lower costs and a direct relationship between your loved one and their carer.

We help you find carers who set their own rates. Carers working with us typically charge between £23 and £34 per hour, depending on their experience and the type of care required.

This means carers earn significantly more. We believe our carers should be better valued, and their pay should reflect that.

What makes TrustonTap different

• You choose your carer — we share profiles and you decide who feels right
• One consistent carer, not a rota — the same person every visit or every day
• Direct payment to your carer — no agency mark-up on the hourly or weekly rate
• Rigorous vetting — DBS checked, right to work verified, references and insurance checked; we accept fewer than 7% of applicants
• We handle contracts and payment management on your behalf
• We stay involved — if anything changes, we are here to help you find the right solution

How much does home care cost?

The cost of home care depends on the type of care, the level of support needed, and the provider model you choose.

Type of care	TrustonTap	Traditional agency
Hourly visiting care	£23–£34 per hour	£34–£42 per hour
Live-in care	£1,200–£1,500 per week	£1,400–£2,000 per week
Couples live-in care	£200 per day	Varies

Based on our review of published prices and direct enquiries with UK live-in care providers in 2026. Prices are indicative and will vary according to care needs, location and provider.

For a full breakdown by care type, see our guides to hourly care costs, overnight care and live-in care costs.

Can I get help with the cost?

Most families fund home care privately, at least to begin with, but Attendance Allowance, local authority funding, PIP and NHS Continuing Healthcare are all worth checking — see our full guide to financial support for care.

Frequently asked questions

You may also find these guides useful:

• Hourly visiting care — support for part of the day, from a single visit to several each week
• Live-in care — one dedicated carer living in the home, day and night
• Overnight care — sleeping and waking night support
• Respite care — short-term cover to give a family carer a break