Home care in County Durham
LCH Care matches families in County Durham with checked, self-employed carers, from 2-hour visits to live-in care. You choose your carer and speak to them before anything is agreed.
County Durham at a glance
About 120,400 people aged 65 or over live in County Durham, 22.3% of its 539,100 residents (ONS mid-2025 population estimates). About 14,500 people in County Durham are aged 85 or over. Most of County Durham is classed as rural (ONS rural-urban classification), with about 242 people per square kilometre, so carers can have further to travel between visits and many families choose live-in care.
Population figures: ONS mid-2025 population estimates.
Care at home in County Durham
- Live-in care in County Durham: a carer living in the home for daily support, £1,100 a week
- Hourly care in County Durham: visits of 2 hours or more, at times that suit you, from £25 an hour
- Overnight care in County Durham: sleeping or waking nights, so nights are safe
- Respite care in County Durham: cover while a family carer takes a break
- 24-hour care in County Durham: two carers sharing the day and the night
- Companionship care in County Durham: company, outings and help with daily routines
- Dementia care in County Durham: a familiar carer and a steady routine at home
Not sure which type fits? See home care explained or care for specific conditions.
Arranging and funding care in County Durham
Adult social care in County Durham is run by Durham County Council. Ask Durham County Council for a free needs assessment: apply for a needs assessment on GOV.UK. A needs assessment is worth having even if you plan to pay for care yourself, because it sets out the help needed in writing.
In England, the council's needs assessment is free, and people with savings over £23,250 usually pay for their own care; the home is not counted when care is at home (NHS). Benefits such as Attendance Allowance and NHS Continuing Healthcare can also help; see paying for care at home.
Coming home from hospital
County Durham has NHS hospitals including University Hospital North Durham and Bishop Auckland Hospital. If your relative is coming home from hospital, care can start at short notice when a suitable carer is available near them. Tell us the discharge date as early as you can, and see short-notice care.
How LCH Care works in County Durham
Tell us what is needed
Where in County Durham, the help needed, and when care should start.
See matched profiles
Profiles say what experience each carer has.
Speak first
Talk to carers by phone or video call before you choose.
Care starts
You and your carer agree the routine, and change it as needs change.
There is no office in County Durham to visit: LCH Care is an introductory agency. Hourly care costs £25 an hour, with at least 2 hours a visit, and live-in care costs £1,100 a week. You pay LCH Care weekly, and LCH Care pays your self-employed carer. See how it works and pricing.
Towns and districts in County Durham
LCH Care matches families across County Durham, including these 43 towns, villages and districts:
- Annfield Plain
- Barnard Castle
- Bishop Auckland
- Blackhall Colliery
- Bowburn
- Brandon
- Burnopfield
- Chester-le-Street
- Chilton
- Consett
- Coundon
- Coxhoe
- Crook
- Durham
- Easington
- Esh Winning
- Ferryhill
- Great Lumley
- Horden
- Lanchester
- Langley Park
- Leadgate
- Murton
- Newton Aycliffe
- Pelton and Ouston
- Peterlee
- Sacriston
- Seaham
- Sedgefield
- Shildon
- Shotley Bridge
- Shotton Colliery
- Spennymoor
- Stanhope
- Stanley
- Tanfield
- Tow Law
- Ushaw Moor and Bearpark
- West Auckland
- Wheatley Hill
- Willington
- Wingate
- Wolsingham
Postcode districts
Postcode districts in County Durham include DH1, DH2, DH3, DH6, DH7, DH8, DH9, DL4, DL5, DL12, DL13, DL14, DL15, DL16, DL17, NE16, SR7, SR8, TS21, TS27, TS28 and TS29.
Nearby areas
Questions
Do you arrange home care across County Durham?
Yes. LCH Care matches families anywhere in County Durham, including Durham, Consett, Newton Aycliffe and Chester-le-Street, with checked, self-employed carers. Availability depends on carers near you, and we will tell you honestly what we can offer.
How much does home care cost in County Durham?
Wherever you live in County Durham, hourly care with LCH Care costs £25 an hour, with at least 2 hours a visit, and live-in care costs £1,100 a week. Your written quote confirms the full price before care starts.
Who do I contact for a needs assessment in County Durham?
Ask Durham County Council for a free needs assessment: apply for a needs assessment on GOV.UK.
Can care start when someone leaves University Hospital North Durham?
Yes, when a suitable carer is available near them. Tell us the discharge date as early as you can, and we will send profiles of carers who can start.
Will I have to pay for care in County Durham?
In England, the council's needs assessment is free, and people with savings over £23,250 usually pay for their own care; the home is not counted when care is at home (NHS).
Do you have an office in County Durham?
No. LCH Care is an introductory agency without local offices. You speak to carers by phone or video call, and your carer comes to your home.
Care at home in County Durham
Tell us what is needed in County Durham, and we'll call you back and send profiles of suitable carers.