About this article

24-hour home care provides round-the-clock support at home. Find out how it works, who it suits and how it differs from live-in and residential care.

24-hour home care is care provided by a carer who lives in the home of the person they are supporting. This type of care generally costs less than a care home, is less disruptive for the person being cared for, and is tailored to their individual needs. Before arranging care, it is worth discussing your specific situation with the agency or provider involved.

Need Help Arranging Live-In Care?

Speak to our clinically-led team to find the right carer for your loved one. We'll guide you through costs, care options, and next steps.

Find live-in carers and costs

What is 24-hour home care?

24-hour home care or 24hr live-in care means an external carer will move into the home of the person they are supporting and care for them around the clock. The carer will be able to help with all activities and provide company throughout the day. For people whose needs extend beyond what visiting care can safely cover, having a carer in the home around the clock can make a significant difference.

If the person they are caring for is often restless during the night, or prone to wandering, then the carer will be on hand overnight. A carer can provide transport to and from appointments and social events, helping them to stay active and get out of the house. Night-time restlessness and wandering are particularly common in people living with dementia, and a consistent overnight presence can reduce the risk of falls and distress significantly.

Most importantly, as a person’s condition progresses, 24-hour care for the elderly at home provides the level of care that best suits their needs. For families who had previously felt that a care home was the only option, 24-hour live-in home care for the elderly is an increasingly popular alternative. It is safe, provides companionship, and maintains the dignity of the person being cared for.

How much does 24 hour live in home care for the elderly cost?

Care homes and nursing homes often charge upwards of £1,000 per week. Live-in care is often more affordable, and unlike a care home, the cost covers one-to-one support rather than shared care across multiple residents. Our guide to the cost of live-in care sets out current rates, what is included, and the funding options available to families.

With 24-hour care, the carer is focused on the person they are supporting alone. Carers working in care homes have a certain number of residents to look after every day, so the person being cared for may have to wait until a carer is available. In contrast, a live-in carer is on hand whenever support is needed, without dividing their attention between multiple people.

They will take rest breaks during the day, but these can be arranged flexibly. If both people in a household need support, a 24-hour live-in carer can care for both – unlike a care home, which charges per resident. For couples, this often makes live-in care the more cost-effective option.

NHS Continuing Healthcare and Attendance Allowance may also contribute to costs in some circumstances. Our funding guide explains eligibility and how to apply.

How does 24 hour live-in care work?

The exact hours a 24-hour live-in carer works will depend on whether they are working directly for a care agency or are self-employed. Many 24-hour carers work 7-day weeks for a set period, then take a week off – for example, 4 weeks on, 1 week off. Cover carers step in during rest periods, and a well-managed agency will handle this transition so it is seamless for the person being cared for.

Related topic  What are the qualities of a good carer?

The carer and the person they are supporting will generally work out a routine that suits both of them. You can arrange a 24-hour carer for the short or long term. Short-term arrangements are common following a hospital discharge – our article on care after leaving hospital explains how this typically works and what to expect.

If a family member has sustained an injury and is temporarily unable to care for themselves, a 24-hour carer can be brought in for a set number of weeks to help with rehabilitation. For longer-term needs, 24-hour care can continue on an ongoing basis, with the care plan reviewed regularly as needs change.

Understanding when 24-hour care becomes necessary can be difficult. Our article on when people living with dementia need 24-hour care covers the clinical indicators in detail.

What are the advantages of 24 hour home care?

24-hour home care can take a little getting used to, but any early teething problems generally resolve quickly. Here are the key advantages of 24-hour home care for older people.

24/7 support

The most obvious benefit of 24-hour home care is that it is 24-hour. Having someone in the home means prompt and attentive care, day or night. This is particularly valuable for people living with dementia, whose needs can be unpredictable – our article on aggressive behaviour in dementia illustrates how overnight support can prevent distressing situations from escalating.

Falls are a risk for older people – 1 in 3 people aged 65 and over fall each year in the UK, 1 in 5 of which lead to serious injury – and having someone living in can mitigate that risk significantly.

Peace of mind

Caring for an ageing family member can be stressful – not only practically, but emotionally. Feelings of guilt and helplessness are common. One of the biggest benefits of 24-hour home care is that it provides peace of mind, knowing a family member is in safe hands and a familiar environment. Nursing care at home is also available for people whose needs require a clinical level of support beyond what a live-in carer provides.

Independence

Frailty often leads to falls, which can lead to disability, which can lead to isolation. Add to this the fact that most older people have to give up their driving licence at some point, and it is not surprising that loss of independence is a common fear.

Hiring a 24-hour home carer means helping an older relative retain their independence – the freedom to choose when to eat, when to shop, and when to have a cup of tea. Many 24-hour carers can drive and have their own car or driving licence, which can help the person they are supporting get out and about. For people who need support at night but are more independent during the day, overnight care may be a more suitable starting point.

Familiar surroundings

24-hour home care means a person can stay at home, in familiar surroundings. This is important for maintaining a solid sense of identity and self. It is also particularly important for people living with dementia, for whom any change can be overwhelming and confusing. The effects of an unfamiliar environment on someone living with dementia are well documented – how Alzheimer’s affects the body explains the progression in more detail.

Related topic  Preventing Loneliness and Isolation in an Elderly Parent

Pets

The majority of care homes prohibit pets, so people moving into a home would have to give up their companion. The benefits of older people having pets are well-documented, helping with conditions ranging from high blood pressure to depression. A live-in carer will be able to feed and care for a pet, meaning animal companionship can be maintained.

Continuity

If you hire a 24-hour live-in carer, the person being cared for will have one-to-one personalised support from one individual. It is much easier for the carer and the person being cared for to form a trusting relationship when they share a daily routine. This continuity is one of the most significant differences between live-in care and a care home – our live-in care page explains the distinction in more detail.

Maintaining a social network

Having an established support network of friends and family plays a critical role for older people. 24-hour home care allows a person to retain that support network, giving them the care they need without uprooting them. People who move into a care home often find that social contact with existing friends and family reduces over time – how much overnight care costs for older people is worth reading for families who are weighing up the options before committing to a full live-in arrangement.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between 24-hour home care and live-in care?

The terms are often used interchangeably. Live-in care means a carer lives in the home; 24-hour care describes the continuous availability that provides. In practice, a live-in carer is not working every hour of every day – they are entitled to rest breaks – but they are present in the home and available overnight.

What is the difference between 24-hour care and overnight care?

Overnight care covers the night-time hours only, typically from around 10pm to 8am. It is appropriate when daytime needs are manageable but overnight supervision is required. 24-hour care means the carer is present throughout the day and night.

For more on overnight options, see our overnight care page.

Can 24-hour home care be arranged at short notice?

Yes. In most cases, a live-in carer can be arranged within 48 hours. For urgent situations such as a hospital discharge, our team can move quickly to put care in place.

Is 24-hour home care suitable for people living with dementia?

Yes, and it is one of the most common reasons families seek this level of support. Familiar surroundings and a consistent carer can make a significant difference. Visit our dementia care page for more on specialist dementia care at home.

Can 24-hour home care be funded by the NHS?

In some cases, yes. NHS Continuing Healthcare is a fully funded package available to people whose primary need is a health need. Our guide to live-in care costs covers funding options in more detail.

Find out more live-in home care:

Hometouch was founded by Dr. Jamie Wilson, an NHS dementia doctor who became frustrated with the limited care options available to his patients. Our team includes healthcare professionals who have care and nursing experience. We offer 24hr live in care and other care packages for elderly people and those with other conditions such as dementia.

Related Care Advice

Dr Jamie Wilson Founder and Chief Medical Officer at Hometouch

Dr Jamie Wilson is hometouch’s founder and Chief Medical Officer. Jamie’s creation of hometouch was inspired by his work as a dementia psychiatrist in the NHS, and he has written about healthcare issues in The Times and the Evening Standard. Jamie has a MBBS from the University of Leeds and has spent a decade in the NHS, working as a Psychiatric Registrar and Memory Specialist at Imperial College Hospital.