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Care cost comparison calculator

Enter the prices you have been quoted for each kind of care you are considering. The calculator turns them into monthly and yearly totals so you can compare like with like.

Costs vary widely between places and providers, so this tool uses only the figures you enter. It does not include any funding, benefits or insurance that may reduce what you pay — ask your local health or social services what support is available.

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Care at home

A paid carer or agency visits the home for a number of hours each week.

Hourly rate

Hours per week

Adult day care

Days at a day centre, optionally with some care at home on the other days.

Cost per day at the centre

Days per week

Extra hours of care at home per week

Uses the hourly rate from “Care at home”. Enter 0 if none.

Assisted living

A private apartment or room with support available on site, usually charged per month.

Monthly fee

Extras per month

Care-level charges, medicines management, laundry, outings — anything not in the base fee.

Nursing home

A residential home with care around the clock, usually charged per week or month.

Comparison

Option	Per month	Per year	Compared with the lowest
Care at home	Enter the figures above to see this option.
Adult day care	Enter the figures above to see this option.
Assisted living	Enter the figures above to see this option.

How this is calculated

Weekly costs are turned into monthly costs × 52 ÷ 12 (about 4.33 weeks).
Yearly cost = monthly cost × 12. Price rises during the year are not included.
Living costs that continue at home (rent or mortgage, food, utilities) are not added to the home options, so include them yourself if you want a full comparison.

Questions to ask each provider

What exactly is included in the fee, and what costs extra?
How and when do prices go up?
What happens if care needs increase?
What notice period and deposits apply?