Care Home Costs UK 2025

Get accurate costs for residential care homes, nursing care, and specialist dementia care. Compare prices, understand funding options, and find quality care homes across the UK.

Average UK Cost: £600 - £1,500 per week

Last Updated: June 2025 | Based on: 400+ care home fee schedules

Modern care home comfortable living area

Quality Care Environment

Professional care with comfortable, dignified living spaces

Types of Care Homes & Average Costs

Residential Care Homes

£600 - £1,000 per week

Personal care and support for daily living activities. Suitable for those who need help with washing, dressing, medication, and meals but don't require nursing care.

24-hour care staff support
All meals and accommodation
Personal care assistance
Social activities program
Laundry and housekeeping

Nursing Care Homes

£800 - £1,200 per week

Combines residential care with qualified nursing staff on-site 24/7. For those with complex medical needs requiring regular nursing intervention and monitoring.

Qualified nurses on duty 24/7
Medical care and monitoring
Medication management
All residential care services
Healthcare professional visits

Dementia Care Homes

£900 - £1,500 per week

Specialist care for people with dementia, Alzheimer's, and other memory-related conditions. Secure environments with trained staff and specialized activities.

Dementia-trained specialists
Secure, safe environment
Memory care programs
Behavioral support
Family support services

Respite Care

£80 - £150 per day

Short-term care providing relief for family caregivers. Available from a few days to several weeks, offering the same quality care as permanent residents.

Luxury Care Homes

£1,200 - £2,500+ per week

Premium care homes with luxury accommodations, enhanced amenities, higher staff ratios, and additional services like spa treatments and fine dining.

Regional Care Home Cost Variations

London & South East

£900 - £2,000

30-50% above national average

South West

£700 - £1,300

10-20% above national average

Midlands

£600 - £1,100

Close to national average

North & Scotland

£500 - £900

10-25% below national average

Complete Care Home Cost & Funding Guide

Understanding care home costs involves more than just weekly fees. Our comprehensive guides cover funding options, local authority support, NHS contributions, and the care assessment process. We help families navigate this complex landscape with clear, practical advice.

What's included in our detailed guides: Funding eligibility criteria, council support thresholds, property and savings assessments, deferred payment schemes, NHS Continuing Healthcare, quality ratings analysis, and step-by-step guides for each type of care home placement.

Residential Care Guide Nursing Care Guide Dementia Care Guide Funding & Financial Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Care home costs in the UK typically range from £600-£1,500 per week. Residential care homes cost £600-£1,000 per week, nursing homes cost £800-£1,200 per week, and specialist dementia care costs £900-£1,500 per week. Costs vary significantly by location, with London and the South East being 30-50% more expensive than the national average. Luxury care homes can cost £1,200-£2,500+ per week. These fees typically include accommodation, meals, personal care, and activities, but additional services may incur extra charges.

Residential care provides personal care, meals, and accommodation for people who need help with daily activities but don't require 24-hour medical supervision. Nursing care includes all residential services plus qualified nursing staff available 24/7 for complex medical needs. Nursing care typically costs £200-£400 more per week than residential care due to additional medical oversight and specialized staff requirements.

Local authorities provide means-tested funding for care home fees. If your capital is below £14,250, you may get full funding. Between £14,250-£23,250, you'll contribute towards costs. Above £23,250, you're self-funding. NHS Continuing Healthcare may fund nursing care for those with complex health needs. Deferred payment schemes allow using property value to pay fees, and some areas offer top-up arrangements for preferred homes.

Standard care home fees typically include accommodation, all meals and snacks, personal care assistance, laundry services, activities program, and basic healthcare coordination. Additional costs may include hairdressing, chiropody, private medical treatments, personal items, and enhanced room options. Always ask for a detailed breakdown of what's included versus additional charges when comparing homes.

The right care home depends on medical needs, personal preferences, and budget. Residential care suits those needing personal care support. Nursing care is for complex medical conditions requiring qualified nursing supervision. Dementia care provides specialized support for memory-related conditions. Consider location, CQC ratings, facilities, staff ratios, and whether the home can accommodate changing needs over time.

If your funds fall below the local authority threshold (£23,250), you can apply for council funding support. The local authority will reassess your financial situation and may contribute towards fees. If you're in a more expensive home than the council rate, you may need a third-party top-up or consider moving to a home within the local authority's usual cost arrangements.

Care home fees are typically reviewed annually, with increases usually ranging from 3-8% per year. Increases should be reasonable and justified by rising costs, improved services, or inflation. Care homes must provide adequate notice (usually 4-6 weeks) before implementing fee increases. Self-funders have more limited protection than local authority-funded residents regarding fee increases.

Visit at different times to observe daily routines, meal times, and activities. Check CQC ratings, staff-to-resident ratios, cleanliness, safety measures, and how staff interact with residents. Ask about activities programs, visiting arrangements, medical care coordination, and complaint procedures. Speak with current residents and families if possible to get honest feedback about their experiences.

Your property is usually included in financial assessments for care home funding, but there are exceptions. The property is disregarded if your spouse, partner, or dependent relative continues living there. A deferred payment scheme allows you to keep your home while the local authority pays fees, recovering costs when the property is eventually sold.

Residential care homes have trained care assistants and may have a qualified nurse on call. Nursing homes must have qualified nurses on duty 24/7. Dementia care homes have staff specially trained in dementia care techniques and behavioral management. Staff ratios vary but typically range from 1:6 during the day to 1:10 at night, with nursing homes maintaining higher ratios.

Emergency placements can sometimes be arranged within 24-48 hours, but planned admissions typically take 1-4 weeks. The timeline depends on care assessments, funding arrangements, room availability, and administrative processes. Hospital discharge placements often have priority and faster arrangements. It's advisable to research and visit homes in advance when possible.

Additional costs can include hairdressing (£10-£25), chiropody (£25-£40), private medical treatments, enhanced meals, room upgrades, cable TV, telephone, and personal shopping services. Some homes charge for laundry of personal items, outings, or specialized equipment. Always request a comprehensive list of potential additional charges before signing any agreement.