The cost of elderly care is one of the most expensive home care services, due to the hands-on, important nature of the position. While it is well known that nursing homes and assisted living facilities can charge astronomical prices, there are more cost-effective solutions including hiring a home care assistant or elderly carer to work for the individual elderly person in the comfort of their own home. Prices fluctuate depending on various factors so we have compiled the average costs for different services within the elderly care industry.
What Determines the Cost of Elderly Care?
When deciding on the best type of elderly care service for yourself or a relative, it’s important to consider both the advantages and disadvantages of each option and evaluate the associated costs. It’s no secret that retirement communities and nursing homes can be very expensive, primarily due to the 24-hour care provided, which understandably comes at a high price.
Elderly care services vary in cost, ranging from luxury nursing homes at the higher end to part-time home care assistants and companions, which are the most affordable options. This affordability is why many people choose to hire elderly care assistants to work in the comfort of their homes.
The elderly care assistants at Yoopies offer a variety of home care services to fit all price ranges. The factors determining the price differences between elderly care services include:
Type of Care:
The more comprehensive and hands-on the type of care, the higher the cost will be. Those requiring medical assistance, such as administering medication or meeting specific medical requirements, may need to hire a medically trained professional, which can increase the cost of care compared to general day-to-day help.
Similarly, health care professionals who assist with personal care, such as washing, using the bathroom, and getting dressed, may charge higher rates due to the physical demands of the work. Routine care work, such as providing companionship, running errands, and managing household chores, typically have lower rates. These positions often require fewer qualifications and less experience than those involving medical responsibilities or physical care.
Working Hours:
As with any other job, those who work antisocial hours outside of the normal working day, will be able to charge higher rates. For example, overnight care or shifts outside of the usual working hours (around 8am-6pm) may be more expensive than day time care. Whilst this is not always the case, some elderly care workers might charge more for irregular hours, so it’s always best to check their policy when going through the hiring process.
Location:
Where you live can significantly impact the cost of elderly care for several reasons. Firstly, if you live in London, the prices of elderly care services are likely to be higher than in the rest of the UK due to increased demand and competition.
Additionally, the location of your home relative to the carer can also influence the cost. Travel times and expenses must be factored in by the carer, meaning if you live in a rural area that is difficult to access, the cost might be higher to account for this increased travel time.
Experience and Qualifications:
Carers with more experience in elderly care often charge higher prices because they can consistently guarantee a high standard of care, and can provide numerous references. Carers with specialised qualifications in health care, can command higher rates as they are able to perform more demanding tasks, such as administering medical care when necessary.
The Average Cost of Elderly Care
The average cost of elderly care can vary depending on several factors, including the type of care required, the location, and the caregiver you hire.
Here is a guide to understanding the average cost of elderly care:
Daytime Carers in London: £12-15 per hour
Daytime Carers outside London: £10-£14 per hour
Overnight Carers in London: £15-20 per hour
Overnight Carers outside London: £14-18 per hour
Medical Carers in London: £15-25 per hour
Medical Carers outside London: £12-£18 per hour
Whilst the cost of elderly care assistants can seem expensive, there are certain financial support options available to those who are eligible.
Finding the Best Priced Elderly Care
There are several ways to find excellent elderly care, though some options may be more expensive than others. Specialised care agencies can provide high-quality care and offer a wide range of applicants.
Another advantage of using care agencies is that they can provide replacements or last-minute care assistants if your usual caregiver is unavailable. However, these services typically come at a higher cost compared to hiring a care assistant on your own.
Online care platforms like Yoopies also provide a large selection of applicants, many of whom are available at short notice. Since Yoopies does not take commission from home care assistants, they can offer more competitive prices. You can ensure the quality of the candidate by checking reviews from other users within the Yoopies community.
Find your next elderly care assistant with confidence at Yoopies.