Care home fees vary depending on where you live, the type of care you need and the care home you choose.
In the UK, the average cost of a residential care home in 2026 is around £1,300 per week, while a nursing home costs approximately £1,535 per week. However, fees can be considerably higher in some areas.
What is the difference between residential and nursing care?
There are two main types of care home:
- Residential care homes provide accommodation, meals, personal care and help with everyday activities such as washing, dressing and taking medication.
- Nursing homes provide the same support but also have registered nurses available to meet more complex medical needs.
Nursing homes generally charge more because of the additional nursing support they provide.
What affects the cost?
Several factors influence care home fees:
- Location: Care homes in London and the South East generally cost more than those in many other parts of the UK.
- Level of care: People with complex health needs or dementia may require specialist care, which can increase fees.
- Accommodation: Larger rooms, private bathrooms and additional facilities may cost more.
- Care provider: Fees vary between individual homes, even within the same area.
What is included in care home fees?
Most care home fees cover accommodation, meals, personal care, laundry, cleaning and activities.
However, some homes charge separately for services such as hairdressing, chiropody, outings, personal purchases or additional one-to-one support.
Before choosing a care home, ask for a written breakdown of what is included, any additional charges and how often fees are reviewed or increased.
Will I have to pay the full cost myself?
Not necessarily. Depending on your financial circumstances and care needs, you may qualify for financial support.
Local authority funding
Your local council can assess your care needs and finances to determine whether you qualify for help with care home fees.
The rules differ across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
For example, in England, people with capital above £23,250 will generally be expected to pay their own care costs. Different rules apply below this amount, and the value of your home is not always included in the assessment.
NHS Continuing Healthcare
If you have significant, complex health needs, you may qualify for NHS Continuing Healthcare. In England, this can cover the full cost of an assessed care package, including care home accommodation.
Eligibility depends on your health needs rather than your savings or income.
NHS-funded nursing care
If you live in a nursing home in England and need care from a registered nurse but do not qualify for NHS Continuing Healthcare, you may be eligible for an NHS contribution towards your nursing care costs.
What should I do before choosing a care home?
- Consider requesting a care needs assessment from your local council, even if you expect to pay privately.
- Compare several care homes, asking for a full breakdown of fees and additional charges.
- Ask about future increases, particularly if your care needs become more complex.
- Check whether financial support is available, including local authority funding and NHS support.
Care home fees can represent a substantial ongoing expense, so understanding both the costs and the financial assistance available can make a significant difference.