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South West England

Home care in Dorset

LCH Care matches families in Dorset 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.

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Dorset at a glance

Of the 796,900 people who live in Dorset, about 212,600 (26.7%) are aged 65 or over, according to ONS mid-2025 population estimates. About 31,600 people in Dorset are aged 85 or over. Dorset mixes urban and rural districts (ONS rural-urban classification), with about 300 people per square kilometre on average, so hourly visits suit the towns and live-in care often suits the countryside.

796,900people live in Dorset
26.7%are aged 65 or over, about 212,600 people
31,600people are aged 85 or over
2 councilsBournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council and Dorset Council

Population figures: ONS mid-2025 population estimates.

Care at home in Dorset

  • Hourly care in Dorset: visits of 2 hours or more, at times that suit you, from £25 an hour
  • Live-in care in Dorset: a carer living in the home for daily support, £1,100 a week
  • Overnight care in Dorset: sleeping or waking nights, so nights are safe
  • Respite care in Dorset: cover while a family carer takes a break
  • 24-hour care in Dorset: two carers sharing the day and the night
  • Companionship care in Dorset: company, outings and help with daily routines
  • Dementia care in Dorset: 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 Dorset

Adult social care in Dorset is run by Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council and Dorset Council. Ask the council that covers your address for a free needs assessment: Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council and Dorset Council (links go to 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

The main NHS hospitals serving Dorset include Dorset County Hospital, Poole Hospital and Royal Bournemouth 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 Dorset

  1. Tell us what is needed

    Where in Dorset, the help needed, and when care should start.

  2. See matched profiles

    Profiles say what experience each carer has.

  3. Speak first

    Talk to carers by phone or video call before you choose.

  4. Care starts

    You and your carer agree the routine, and change it as needs change.

There is no office in Dorset 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 Dorset

LCH Care matches families across Dorset, including these 38 towns, villages and districts:

Postcode districts

Postcode districts in Dorset include BH1, BH2, BH4, BH6, BH15, BH16, BH19, BH20, BH21, BH22, BH23, BH24, BH31, DT1, DT2, DT3, DT4, DT5, DT6, DT9, DT10, DT11, SP7 and SP8.

Nearby areas

Questions

Do you arrange home care across Dorset?

Yes. LCH Care matches families anywhere in Dorset, including Bournemouth, Poole, Weymouth and Christchurch, 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 Dorset?

Wherever you live in Dorset, 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 Dorset?

Ask the council that covers your address for a free needs assessment: Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council and Dorset Council (links go to GOV.UK).

Can care start when someone leaves Dorset County Hospital?

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 Dorset?

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 Dorset?

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 Dorset

Tell us what is needed in Dorset, and we'll call you back and send profiles of suitable carers.

Start an enquiry