How much does live-in care cost?
With LCH Care, live-in care costs £1,100 a week, with a minimum booking of 2 weeks. Here is what that means per month and per year, and what can change it.
| Live-in care with LCH Care | Per week | Per month (average) | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| One carer | £1,100 | £4,767 | £57,200 |
| Two carers | £1,800 | £7,800 | £93,600 |
Monthly figures are the weekly price times 52, divided by 12. Your written quote confirms the full price before care starts.
What can change the cost
- Nights: if your relative needs help several times a night, one carer can't safely cover days and nights, so two carers (£1,800 a week) or waking-night cover may be needed
- The carer's food: the household provides it, or pays a food allowance of £30 a week
- Couples: one carer can often support two people; tell us about both and we'll confirm the price in writing
- Length: live-in care is booked for a minimum of 2 weeks
When live-in care is better value than visits
Live-in care at £1,100 a week costs the same as 44 hours of hourly care at £25 an hour. Once someone needs more help than that, or someone in the home at night, live-in care is usually better value.
Live-in care compared with a care home
Published averages for a self-funded care home place range from about £1,100 to £1,300 a week for residential care, and about £1,450 to £1,512 a week for nursing care (Age UK; Lottie, checked October 2026). A care home fee includes the room, meals and bills; with live-in care the household keeps paying its own bills and the carer's food. For couples, a care home charges each person, while one live-in carer can often support both. Compare home care and care homes.
Ways to reduce the cost
- Claim Attendance Allowance: £114.60 a week at the higher rate if help is needed day and night
- Ask your council for a needs assessment, and ask about direct payments
- If needs are mainly health needs, ask about NHS Continuing Healthcare
- Share the care: family cover some days, with hourly visits or respite on others
More on paying for care
Questions
How much is live-in care per week?
With LCH Care, £1,100 a week for one carer, or £1,800 a week for two carers. Your written quote confirms the full price before care starts.
How much is live-in care per month?
About £4,767 a month for one carer (£1,100 a week, times 52, divided by 12).
Is live-in care cheaper than a care home?
It costs about the same as an average residential care home place and less than an average nursing home place, and for couples it can cost much less. A care home fee also covers the room, meals and bills.
Is there a minimum booking?
Yes. Live-in care is booked for a minimum of 2 weeks.