Understanding Live-In Care Pricing vs. 24-Hour Hourly Care: What Families Should Know

When families are deciding how to care for a loved one at home, one of the biggest questions is cost—and just as important, what that cost actually includes. Live-in care can be a more affordable and stable alternative to 24-hour hourly care, but only when it’s the right fit for the client’s needs.

At Caring Companions, we believe families deserve clear, upfront information so there are no surprises. This guide explains how live-in care pricing works, how family involvement can affect total cost, and how it compares to 24-hour hourly care at $30 per hour.

Caring Companions live-in care pricing

We offer two live-in care options, depending on how much support a family is able to provide during the day.

Family-Supported Live-In Care

• $350 per day

This option works well when family members are able to help cover some supervision during the caregiver’s daily break time.

Full Live-In Care Support

• $450 per day

This option is often chosen when families prefer Caring Companions to manage more of the daily coverage needs.

Both options include:

• One dedicated caregiver who lives in the home

• Daytime and evening assistance

• Overnight presence for occasional needs

• A consistent routine and familiar caregiver

Live-in care is designed for clients who sleep through most nights and do not need constant overnight care.

Daily break time and how coverage works

In a live-in care arrangement, caregivers receive 4 hours of break time each day. This break time is essential for caregiver rest and long-term safety.

The 4 hours can be scheduled in a way that best fits the client’s routine and family preferences, such as:

• Four 1-hour breaks

• Two 2-hour breaks

• One 4-hour break

If your loved one can be left alone

If your loved one can be safely left alone for short periods, no additional coverage is needed during break time.

If your loved one cannot be left alone

For clients with a high fall risk or safety concerns, families have two options:

• A family member covers the break time

• Caring Companions provides coverage at the hourly rate

Hourly coverage rate: $30 per hour

Example: Live-in care with 4 hours of daily coverage

4 hours × $30/hour = $120 per day

Family-Supported Live-In Care

• Live-in care: $350/day

• Break coverage: $120/day

• Total: $470 per day (~$14,100/month)

Full Live-In Care Support

• Live-in care: $450/day

• Break coverage: $120/day

• Total: $570 per day (~$17,100/month)

This option allows for continuous supervision while still benefiting from the consistency of live-in care.

What if overnight needs increase?

Live-in care includes overnight presence, but it does not include awake overnight care.

If a client begins to need hands-on assistance overnight—such as frequent toileting, monitoring, or safety supervision—additional care may be required.

Example: Adding 8 hours of overnight coverage

8 hours × $30/hour = $240 per night

Family-Supported Live-In + Overnight Coverage

• Live-in care: $350/day

• Overnight coverage: $240/day

• Total: $590 per day (~$17,700/month)

Full Live-In Care Support + Overnight Coverage

• Live-in care: $450/day

• Overnight coverage: $240/day

• Total: $690 per day (~$20,700/month)

Important note about awake overnight care

If a client requires consistent awake overnight care, live-in care may no longer be the safest or most appropriate option.

In those cases, 24-hour hourly care is usually recommended.

Cost of 24-hour hourly care at $30 per hour

24-hour hourly care includes rotating caregivers with someone awake and working at all times.

• 24 hours × $30/hour = $720 per day

• $720/day × 30 days = $21,600 per month

This level of care is often necessary when a client:

• Needs frequent overnight assistance

• Requires constant supervision

• Is unsafe without an awake caregiver

• Has advanced medical or cognitive needs

Live-in care vs. 24-hour hourly care: cost comparison

Care Option Approx. Daily Cost Approx. Monthly Cost

Family-Supported Live-In $350 $10,500

Full Live-In Support $450 $13,500

Live-In + 4 hrs coverage $470–$570 $14,100–$17,100

Live-In + 8-hr overnight $590–$690 $17,700–$20,700

24-Hour Hourly Care $720 $21,600

Live-in care can offer significant savings when it’s clinically appropriate, but cost should never be the only deciding factor.

A Note from Caring Companions

Live-in care can be a wonderful solution for the right situation, offering consistency, companionship, and peace of mind. However, it is not approved or recommended for every client—especially when overnight needs become frequent or complex.

At Caring Companions, we take time to talk through your loved one’s daily routine, overnight needs, safety concerns, and family involvement. If live-in care is a good fit, we’ll explain exactly how it works. If it’s not, we’ll guide you toward a safer level of care.

Our goal is always the same: the right care, at the right time, in the right way.