What is included in care home fees?
Care home fees usually include accommodation, meals, personal care, laundry, housekeeping, activities, and 24-hour staff support.
What is generally included in UK care home fees?
Once families have decided that residential care may be the right level of support, one of the next questions is often what the fees actually cover.
While every care home is different, UK residential care fees are usually designed to include the essentials of daily living and care. This typically means:
- A bedroom and access to communal living spaces
- All meals, snacks and drinks
- Personal care, such as help with washing, dressing and medication
- Laundry and housekeeping
- Heating, lighting, utilities and general maintenance
- A programme of social activities and entertainment
- 24-hour support from trained staff
These core services are intended to provide safety, comfort, routine and companionship, so residents are supported throughout the day and night.
What is included in Ochre Care’s fees?
At Ochre Care, we aim to be open and clear about what our fees include, so families understand exactly what they are paying for.
Our weekly fee includes:
- Accommodation
A private or companion bedroom with essential furniture, individually controlled heating, and access to shared living rooms, dining areas and gardens. - Meals and refreshments
Three nutritious home-cooked meals each day, with snacks and drinks available throughout the day. - Personal care and health support
Help with washing, bathing, dressing, mobility, eating and drinking, along with medication support. We also coordinate with GPs and other health professionals where needed. - Housekeeping and laundry
Regular cleaning of bedrooms and shared areas, linen and towel services, and laundry for machine-washable personal clothing. - Activities and social life
A varied programme of in-house activities and events, alongside access to shared TV and streaming services in communal areas. - Therapeutic and wellbeing activities
Regular music, movement and physical therapy sessions, plus visiting entertainers and community groups. - 24-hour staffing and support
Trained, experienced staff available day and night to provide care, reassurance and supervision.
What isn’t included (and may be charged separately)?
Some services sit outside the weekly fee and are available as optional extras, depending on individual choice or need. These typically include:
- Hairdressing and grooming
- Foot care or chiropody
- Visitor meals
- Transport to external appointments
- A member of staff accompanying residents to appointments
- Private treatments such as physiotherapy, dentistry or optician services
- Personal items such as toiletries, newspapers or clothing
- Certain specialist equipment, medications or prescription charges
Any additional costs are explained clearly, and families are always able to ask for an up-to-date list of optional services.
Asking the right questions
Care home fees can look similar at first glance, but what’s included can vary from one provider to another. Asking clear questions early on can help avoid confusion later and ensure the care offered matches your expectations.
Many families find the Care Choices checklist helpful. It’s published annually in local authority care directories and sets out practical questions to ask when comparing care homes and understanding fees.
