If you are wondering if live in care is cheaper than a nursing home here are some factors to take into consideration
When choosing care for yourself or a loved one, you may worry about the costs involved. Many people ask the question is live in care cheaper than a nursing home?
Many people prefer the idea of remaining in their own home. However, it is often assumed that live-in care is more expensive than a residential care home or nursing home. This is often not the case. Live in care can be the same or cheaper than residential care.
In addition, if you are living in your own home, its value will not be included in means-tested asset calculations which decide if you qualify for help with care costs.
In addition, for couples, the cost of live in care can be considerably cheaper than a care home.
Average care costs – is live in care cheaper than a nursing home?
The average cost of a place in residential care (no nursing) range from £1,000 to £1,500+ per week, rising to £1,650 on average in the South East. Specialist and Dementia Care fees are usually higher, on average costing an additional £100 – £300 per week above standard residential rates. The cost of a care home will include meals and laundry, however, your loved one will not receive one-to-one care. They will receive contact with carers at certain allocated times and in emergencies.
Full-time live-in care generally costs around £1,200 and £1,600+ per week with costs again being higher in London. However, all the money spent goes on providing specialist one-to-one care rather than meals, laundry and accommodation. Live-in care provides a much higher level of value because there is so much dedicated, one-to-one personalised care provided. In addition, because the value of your home is not considered in means-test asset calculations, you may not have to pay all, or any of these fees yourself. Another benefit is that you will not have to sell your home to pay for care costs.
If a couple needs care, then they are likely to pay for two bedrooms and live separately in a care home. With live-in care, they can continue to live with their loved partner in their own home, with the support of a live-in carer. The costs for couples live-in care are comparable and often cheaper to that of a care home.
When trying to calculate if live-in care is cheaper than a residential or nursing home, it’s a good idea to consider key factors such as the care complexity and is care for a single or a couple, then get some quotes for care costs locally. This will give you a better idea of what works out as the most suitable and cost-effective option for your situation. Care costs vary based on the specific provider chosen and the individual care needs.
Level of care
The cost of care will also vary depending on the level of support required by the client. Nursing care and dementia care generally cost more than caring for someone with less extensive needs. Nursing homes and homes specialising in dementia care usually cost more per week than a standard residential home. Live-in carers for people who require specialist or nursing care can also be more expensive. Again, it’s worth asking a local care provider for more information.
You can have a needs assessment undertaken by the local authority to determine the level of care required. Everyone is entitled to a care needs assessment, regardless of their financial circumstances.
The local authority will use this assessment to determine the level of care required. This will affect how much funding they will provide. However, the amount you receive will also depend on a financial means test.
Who pays for care home costs?
The amount that you will have to pay towards your care will largely depend upon the value of your savings, investments and property. The local authority will complete a means-test to see how much you will have to pay and how much will be paid by the state.
If you are moving into a care home, then the value of the family home may be taken into consideration. However, this is not usually the case if a partner is still living in the property.
If you choose live-in care then you will continue to live in your own home. Consequently, the value of your home is not included in the means test.
How much can you have in savings before you have to pay for your care?
As of 2026/2027, the savings thresholds in England remain £23,250 (upper) and £14,250 (lower), as planned reforms to increase these limits have been cancelled.
If you have savings and assets of more than the upper limit, you will usually have to pay the full cost of your care. For those with savings and assets below the lower threshold, your local authority should cover the full cost of your care.
If your capital falls in between the upper and lower thresholds, the local authority may pay part of the cost, but you will have to contribute to the cost.
How is funding paid?
If you are eligible for funding from the local authority, they will set a personal budget for you. You can then use this money to pay for the care that you choose. You can ask the local authority to arrange care, ask a private company to arrange it or organise it yourself.
If you are not eligible for any funding from the local authority, you are described as a ‘self-funder’. You can still ask the local authority to arrange the care you need.
A cap on care costs – current position
The UK Government previously proposed a lifetime cap of £86,000 on personal care costs, which was originally due to be introduced in October 2023 and later delayed to October 2025. However, these plans were cancelled in July 2024. As a result, there is currently no cap on care costs in England, meaning individuals may still need to fund their care without a fixed upper limit. Financial support is instead based on a means test, which considers a person’s savings, income and, in some cases, their property. It is still possible that social care funding reforms may be introduced in the future, but no changes have been confirmed at this time.
The benefits of live-in home care
Receiving live-in support can often be an affordable alternative to moving into a care home. If you receive care at home, your home is not included in the means teat. The real bonus is that you can stay in your own home, surrounded by everything familiar to you. You can keep to your own routines, with your pets, family and friends in your local community. Mumby’s live-in care is passionate about listening to their carers wishes and improving their quality of life. Our carers not only look after what needs doing but they also support you to do the things that matter to you. In addition, your fees go to providing specialist one-to-one support that is tailored to your exact needs.
How Mumby’s can help
Here at Mumby’s, we pride ourselves on providing high-quality live-in care tailored to each individual’s needs. We believe that live-in care offers the best care as well as the independence many people want. Live-in care also provides good health outcomes as care, safety, nutrition, exercise and wellbeing support can be tailored to the individual’s needs.
At Mumby’s, you also benefit from a fully managed service, so you don’t need to worry about hiring carers and overseeing the care they provide. Mumby’s is regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and has achieved an outstanding rating.
For a friendly, no-obligation chat about your care needs call us today on freephone 0800 505 3511 or email info@mumbys.com.