posted 29th December 2025
When someone you love starts needing support at home, it can feel like the practical questions and the emotional worry arrive at the same time.
You might feel relieved that help exists, then unsure how to choose the right support, and then the money question lands.
“How much is this actually going to cost?”
If you’ve been searching for hourly home care rates in Bristol or South Gloucestershire, you’ve probably noticed how unclear it can be. Prices are often shown as “from”, visit lengths vary, and it can start to feel like you’re comparing apples with oranges.
This guide is here to make it feel simpler, and a little calmer.
What do hourly home care rates look like locally?
Across Bristol and South Gloucestershire, many families find hourly visiting care often sits somewhere in the £30 to low £40 per hour, depending on the provider, the time of day, and the type of support.
It is also very common for services to offer 30-minute visits (and sometimes shorter). That can make an online price look lower at first glance, even though the weekly cost can change once visits are added to cover what support is actually needed.
Some providers also charge separately for travel, while others include it within their rate. Until that is clarified, it can be hard to compare like-for-like.
Why prices online can look cheaper than they really are
It is very common to see care advertised online “from” a lower figure. Understandably, families then wonder why other quotes are higher.
Often, the key detail is visit length. A “from” price does not always represent a full hour of support in the home. In many cases it reflects shorter visits, or a basic starting price, with the detail only becoming clear later.
This is usually where confusion sets in. A service can look more affordable online, but once care is mapped out properly, including visit length and frequency, the weekly cost can be very different from what was first expected.
This is not about one provider being right or wrong. It is simply about understanding what is actually being offered before you try to compare prices.
Why care costs can change after an assessment
Most care agencies will explain that they need to carry out an assessment before confirming exact pricing. This is typically when the full picture is discussed, including the type of support required and how costs are calculated.
Some providers charge different hourly rates depending on whether care is classed as companionship, personal care, dementia support, or more complex support.
Until that point, it can be hard to know what care will cost in the longer term, which is understandably stressful when you are already juggling a lot.
Why visit length matters (especially for older people)
Visit length has a big impact on both cost and experience.
Shorter visits can work well for one specific task. But for many older people, visits that feel rushed can be unsettling. People often need a slower pace, a bit of prompting, and time to do things with dignity.
And if your parent is living with dementia, that calm, unhurried approach can matter even more.
When visits are very short, families often find they are stepping in to fill the gaps, or adding extra visits over time. That can increase both cost and pressure.
Continuity and consistency of carers
Another factor that affects how care feels is how many different carers are involved.
Some services operate with large teams, meaning a person may see several different carers over the course of a week. Even when everyone is professional, frequent changes can be tiring and confusing, especially for someone who values routine.
Services that prioritise continuity, either through a small regular team or a dedicated carer, often feel more settled over time. It can make a real difference to the person receiving care, and to the family watching from the sidelines.
A simple way to compare providers (without getting overwhelmed)
When you’re speaking to different providers, it helps to focus less on the headline price and more on what daily life will actually look like.
Here are a few questions families often find helpful:
1. What is the minimum visit length?
2. Will the carer remain for the whole visit time?
3. How many different carers will my parent see in a typical week?
4. Do you charge separately for travel, or is it included?
5. If my parent is anxious, confused, or refuses support on the day, how is that handled?
If the answers feel rushed or vague, trust that feeling.
Funding options in brief
Funding for care can be a lot to take in, especially when you are already tired. Most families explore one of three routes.
• Self-funding: if your savings and assets are over £23,250, you will usually pay for care yourself.
• Local authority support: you can request a care needs assessment and a financial assessment.
• NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC): for severe or complex health needs, CHC may cover the full cost.
Our approach at Your Care
Your Care is a family-run introduction agency. We introduce families to self-employed carers and focus on care that feels steady, personal, and clear from the outset.
Families often tell us they like that care feels more direct. Because we introduce you to a small, consistent team, communication is clearer. Concerns and small changes can be shared with you directly, without messages being passed through multiple layers where details can get lost.
We support a wide range of clients, including older adults, people living with dementia, people with learning disabilities, and people with physical disabilities or mobility challenges. We can also support Parkinson’s and visual impairment, depending on what you need and what is the right fit for the carer.
If you want to talk it through
If you’re trying to work out what care might cost, or you just want help making sense of the options, you do not have to do it alone.
You’re welcome to call us for a straightforward chat about what you’re looking for, what questions to ask, and what tends to work well in real life.
Call 0117 947 7422 or complete our online form here and a member of the team will call you back.
