When families first start exploring private home care, one of the most common questions is: “What are the costs?”
When families first start exploring private home care, one of the most common questions is: “What are the costs?” This is a completely understandable concern. Choosing care for your loved one is both an emotional and financial decision, and clarity matters.
If you’ve never had to consider care for a loved one before, then this blog article is for you. We detail exactly what goes into the costs associated to care, and why our rates as a private home care provider differ to social care providers and residential care homes.
Below, we explain the key factors that influence our private home care costs and how it compares to other providers and services in the care industry.
One of the biggest factors behind the cost of private home care is 1-to-1 support. Unlike shared residential care settings, private home care means that our carer is focused entirely on you, we don’t rush the visit, and care is being delivered at your pace – not ours.
This level of personalised attention allows our carers to truly understand you — from your preferences, routines, personality, and your needs — which leads to better outcomes and stronger relationships.
You’re not paying for “tasks” at Home Instead. You’re investing in time, attentiveness, and meaningful support.
Time is one of the most overlooked — yet most important — aspects of good care.
For many families, their first experience of care comes through social services or commissioned providers. While these services are often doing their best within strict constraints, the reality is that visits can be very short. One family member who contacted us recently described it as “in and out within 10 minutes.”
When care is rushed, it becomes task-focused rather than person-focused.
We believe quality care simply cannot be delivered in minutes. That’s why we provide a minimum of one hour per visit.
This time allows our carers to:
Support without rushing or cutting corners
Have meaningful conversations
Notice changes in wellbeing or mood
Encourage independence rather than taking over
Deliver care with dignity, calm, and respect
An hour gives space for care to feel human — not clinical.
Many people assume home care is only about washing, dressing, or meals. In reality, companionship is just as valuable. Our carers provide companionship at every visit, giving time to listen, chat and have a cuppa in-between housekeeping chores or supporting with personal care.
Companionship care will include:
Great conversation and emotional support
Accompaniment to your hospital appointments or social outings
Help maintaining your hobbies and interests
Reducing loneliness and isolation
This type of care plays a huge role in mental wellbeing, confidence, and independence — and it takes time, patience, and consistency to do it well.
Staying at home allows you to continue living life your way. We tailor your care package and schedule visits which fit into your lifestyle, and routine. Private home care can support you with:
Waking up and going to bed at your preferred times
Eating your favourite foods
Supporting you to continue looking after your pets
Staying connected to your neighbours and community
Remaining in a home full of your memories
Home Instead care is shaped around the client’s existing lifestyle — not the other way around. This level of flexibility and personalisation is a key factor in cost, but it’s also one of the biggest benefits.
Local authority or social care services play an important role, but they often operate under tight time and resource pressures.
Our way of home care is different because:
Visits are typically a full hour or more, not rushed 15 minutes
Care arrives at a scheduled time, not within a broad window
Clients see the same familiar carers, building trust and continuity
Care is relationship-led, not task-driven
This consistency improves safety, comfort, and emotional wellbeing — particularly for older adults or those living with dementia.
Residential care homes provide care for many people at once, which means routines are often structured around the setting and not the person.
Our way of home care, by contrast:
Tailors each day around the individual client
Adapts activities or hobbies to personal interests
Allows flexibility throughout the day, rather than fixed schedules
Keeps the client in control of their day and their plans
Meals, activities, rest times, and routines are all shaped around what matters to the person — not the needs of a wider group.
The cost of private home care reflects:
Personalised 1-to-1 support
Time, consistency, and reliability
Experienced, well-trained carers
Care designed around the individual, not a system
Every care package at Home Instead is different, because every person is different.
The best way to understand pricing is through a conversation. We’ll take the time to learn about your situation, answer your questions honestly, and explain the options available.
👉 Contact us directly to request information about our care costs or to arrange a no-obligation chat about your loved one’s needs.