How Much Does 24/7 In Home Care Cost Per Month?

If you’re thinking about full-time care at home for yourself or a loved one, one of the first questions that probably comes to mind is how much does 24/7 in home care cost per month. It’s a big decision, and understanding the costs involved can help you plan properly and feel more confident moving forward.

At In Home Care, we support families across areas like Havant, Waterlooville, Beaconsfield, Ipswich, and Chichester, offering services like live-in care, hourly care, and overnight care. In this article, we’ll walk you through what 24/7 care really means, what it typically costs, and what factors can affect the price.

What Does 24/7 In-Home Care Involve?

When we say 24/7 care, we’re talking about round-the-clock support—someone always there to help, day and night. It usually comes in two forms:

• Live-in care, where a carer stays in the home and is on-hand during the day and available at night if needed. They’ll need regular breaks and sleep time.
• Hourly or shift-based care, where carers work in shifts to provide non-stop support. This is often used when someone needs active care throughout the night, not just a presence in the home.

Both types of care can include help with washing, dressing, medication, preparing meals, companionship, and keeping the home safe and tidy. The setup will depend on the person’s needs.

How Much Does 24/7 In Home Care Cost Per Month?

Let’s get into the numbers. The cost can vary depending on whether it’s live-in or hourly care, as well as the person’s location and care needs.

Live-in Care Costs

Live-in care tends to be more cost-effective for ongoing support. Here’s a general idea of what you might expect:

• For basic support (like company and light help), prices start around £900 a week
• For more involved care (like help with mobility and personal needs), it can be £1,100 to £1,400 a week
• If someone has advanced needs (like dementia or complex conditions), it may go up to £1,600 a week

So overall, you’re looking at around £3,900 to £6,000 a month. Some providers may charge extra for holidays or specialist care, so it’s always worth asking for a full breakdown.

Hourly or Shift-Based 24/7 Care

If the person needs carers to work in shifts throughout the day and night, the cost will be higher. This setup often costs over £250 a day, which works out to around £7,500 to £8,000 a month.

This type of care is usually needed when someone needs frequent or constant support, such as turning at night, regular medication, or managing advanced health conditions.

What Affects the Cost of 24/7 Care?

There are a few things that influence how much you’ll pay:

1. Where You Live

Prices can differ across the country. Areas like Beaconsfield or Chelmsford may have slightly higher rates compared to places like Haslemere or Petersfield, mainly due to local wages and carer availability.

2. Care Needs

The more support someone needs, the more it’s likely to cost. Simple companionship is different from needing help with mobility, memory care, or multiple medical conditions.

3. Live-in vs Hourly

Live-in care usually works out cheaper over time, especially when compared to hourly shift care or care home costs. It’s also a great option for couples who want to stay together at home.

4. Meals and Accommodation

For live-in care, families are expected to provide the carer with a private room and access to basic facilities. Meals are usually included in the arrangement, but it’s worth checking with the care provider.

5. Agency or Private Hire

Going through an agency like In Home Care means we handle recruitment, background checks, cover for holidays or sickness, and ongoing training. While private hire might seem cheaper up front, it means taking on all those responsibilities yourself.

How Does In-Home Care Compare to a Care Home?

Families often ask whether home care is more affordable than moving into a care home. The answer is—it depends.

According to national sources, a care home can cost around £1,100 to £1,500 a week, or even more for nursing care. That’s £4,400 to £6,500 a month, which is quite close to the cost of live-in care. The difference is, with in-home care, your loved one gets one-to-one support in a place they know and love.

And if you’re caring for a couple, live-in care can actually work out cheaper than placing both people into a care home.

Paying for 24/7 Home Care

There are a few ways to pay for care, depending on your situation:

• Self-funding: Many people pay for care privately using savings, pensions, or income.
• Local authority support: You may be eligible for help depending on your financial situation. The council will carry out an assessment to see if you qualify.
• NHS Continuing Healthcare: For people with complex health conditions, the NHS may cover full care costs.
• Benefits: Payments like Attendance Allowance or Personal Independence Payment (PIP) can also help with care expenses, and you don’t need to be means-tested to apply.

We understand that how much does 24/7 in home care cost per month can be a concern when looking at funding options. That’s why it’s important to explore support from local authorities, the NHS, or benefits that may ease the financial pressure.

Thinking Long-Term

When you’re working out how much does 24/7 in home care cost per month, it’s also worth thinking about how care needs might change in the future. Someone who only needs daytime support now might need night-time care later on. Planning ahead means fewer surprises down the line.

It’s also helpful to speak with a care provider familiar with your area. At In Home Care, we work with families across Havant, Waterlooville, Basingstoke, Ipswich, Chelmsford, Chichester, and more. We understand local care demands and can recommend options that match your needs and budget.

If you’d like to chat about 24/7 care or get a quote based on your situation, contact us today and we’ll be happy to help.