Hourly care at home
A carer visits at the times that suit you, for help with personal care, meals, housework, outings and company. Hourly care costs £25 an hour, with a minimum of 2 hours a visit.
What is hourly care?
Hourly care, also called visiting care, is a carer coming to your home for an agreed number of hours, on the days and at the times you choose. It suits people who are mostly independent but need help with parts of the day, such as getting up and dressed, a meal, or a trip out.
What fits in a visit
With a minimum of 2 hours, a visit has room for more than a rushed check-in. A typical visit might include:
- Getting up, washing, dressing and help with continence
- Prompting medication at the right times
- Preparing a meal, a hot drink, and making sure there is food for later
- Light housework, laundry and changing the bed
- Shopping, collecting prescriptions, or going to an appointment together
- A walk, a café visit, a hobby, or simply good company
You and your carer agree what each visit includes, and change it together as needs change.
Is hourly care right for your family?
Hourly care usually works well when someone:
- Is safe on their own for most of the day and night
- Needs help at particular times, such as mornings or evenings
- Wants company and help getting out, to stay connected
- Has a family carer who needs a few hours of support or a regular break
If help is needed through the night, or for many hours every day, live-in care or overnight care may suit better.
Planning a week of visits
Start from your relative's day, not from a number of hours. Ask when help makes the biggest difference: getting up, lunch, a trip out, or settling for the night. Some common patterns:
| Pattern | What it covers | Hours a week |
|---|---|---|
| Morning help, three days a week | Getting up, washing, dressing, breakfast and medication prompts | 6 hours (£150) |
| Daily morning visits | A steady start to every day | 14 hours (£350) |
| Morning and teatime every day | Getting up, plus an evening meal and help getting ready for bed | 28 hours (£700) |
Each visit is at least 2 hours. Regular days and times help your relative settle into a routine, and make it easier to keep the same carer.
Hourly care or live-in care?
Live-in care at £1,100 a week costs the same as 44 hours of hourly care. Once someone needs more help than that, or needs a carer close by at night, live-in care is usually better value and gives more continuity.
| Hours per week | Weekly cost at £25 an hour |
|---|---|
| 7 hours | £175 |
| 14 hours (for example 2 hours a day) | £350 |
| 28 hours (for example 4 hours a day) | £700 |
| 44 hours or more | Live-in care at £1,100 a week is likely to be better value |
If two carers are needed at the same time, for example for help moving someone safely, hourly care with two carers costs £60 an hour.
The same carer, where possible
For hourly care we aim for consistency, so your relative sees familiar faces, but we can't promise the same person every visit. Because you choose the carer and agree visits directly with them, many families keep the same carer for a long time.
Get a price for your week
Tell us the days and times, and we'll confirm the price in writing before care starts.
When plans change
You and your carer can change visit times or add hours as needs change. If your carer is ill or can't come, let us know as soon as you can and we'll look for another suitable carer and send you their profile. We can't guarantee a replacement straight away, especially at short notice. You can end the arrangement following the notice terms in your agreement.
Paying for hourly care
LCH Care sends you an invoice each week, in advance, and you pay by bank transfer. LCH Care then pays your self-employed carer weekly. Your council may help with costs after a free needs assessment, and you may be able to claim Attendance Allowance. NHS Continuing Healthcare covers care needed mainly because of health needs.
How to arrange hourly care
Tell us the hours
Which days, what times, and what help is needed in each visit.
See matched carers
We send profiles of suitable carers who are available near you.
Speak to them first
Talk by phone or video call and choose the carer you want.
Visits begin
You and your carer agree the routine. You pay LCH Care weekly in advance.
How carers are checked
Before LCH Care introduces a carer, we check their identity, right to work in the UK, Enhanced DBS, two references, work history, and relevant training or qualifications. Carers also hold their own public liability insurance. You then speak to the carer by phone or video call before you agree to anything.
Other types of care
Questions
Is there a minimum number of hours per visit?
Yes, the minimum is 2 hours per visit.
How much does hourly care cost?
Hourly care costs £25 an hour with one carer, or £60 an hour if two carers are needed at the same time. Your written quote confirms the full price before care starts.
What does a visiting carer do?
Whatever you agree together, such as personal care, meals, medication prompts, housework, shopping, appointments, outings and company.
Can a visiting carer help with medication?
Carers can prompt medication and help as agreed in your care arrangement. Anything beyond that, such as injections or complex clinical tasks, needs a suitably trained person. Tell us about all medication needs up front.
How quickly can hourly care start?
We'll do our best. Urgent starts depend on carers being available in your area.
How do I prepare for the first visit?
Agree with your carer what the first visit will cover, show them where things are kept, and share the routine and preferences that matter most, such as how your relative likes their tea or when they like to get up.
Will it be the same carer every time?
We aim for consistency but can't promise the same person every visit. You choose your carer and agree visits directly with them.
Is hourly care cheaper than a care home?
For people who need a few hours of help a day, usually yes, and they stay in their own home. Once someone needs more than about 44 hours a week, live-in care is likely to be better value than hourly visits.
Can we change the visit times?
Yes. Agree changes directly with your carer and keep LCH Care informed so your weekly invoice is right.
Can family be there during visits?
Of course. Many families like to be there for the first visits to show the carer the routine.