Written by Oliver Wakefield-Smith. Reviewed for accuracy against the Homecare Association's 2026/27 minimum-price report and Age UK's 2026 factsheets. Numbers verified 21 June 2026.

Elder: 2026 honest profile

Elder is the largest pure-introductory live-in platform in the UK, sitting below managed providers on headline weekly cost.

What Elder charges in 2026

Live-in from about £1,150/wk (single), rising to about £1,400/wk for complex care.

Pricing source: https://www.elder.org/live-in-care/cost/, verified 21 June 2026. National Homecare Association minimum sustainable price for 2026/27 is £34.42/hr[1] for context.

Model

Introductory live-in specialist.

CQC profile

Introductory agency; the family contracts with the self-employed carer.

How it compares

• Helping Hands: published headline rates.
• Bluebird Care: franchise, quote-only.
• Elder: introductory live-in.
• The Good Care Group: managed live-in.
• All 2026/27 hourly rates.