Care Home Costs in Gloucestershire 2025: Complete Price Guide

Planning for care home costs is essential for families across Gloucestershire. This guide provides transparent pricing information for care homes in Cheltenham, Gloucester, Cirencester, Stroud, and Tewkesbury, helping you budget and explore funding options for 2025.

Average Care Home Costs (Gloucestershire 2025)

Residential Care

Weekly Fees: £900-£1,200
Average: £1,050/week (£4,550/month)

What's included:
- Personal care and daily living support
- All meals and snacks
- Housekeeping and laundry
- Activities and entertainment
- 24-hour care staff

Annual Cost: £54,600

Nursing Care

Weekly Fees: £1,200-£1,650
Average: £1,425/week (£6,175/month)

What's included:
- Everything in residential care
- 24-hour registered nurses on-site
- Medication management
- Clinical care procedures
- GP liaison and health monitoring

Annual Cost: £74,100

Dementia Care

Weekly Fees: £1,100-£1,800
Average: £1,450/week (£6,283/month)

What's included:
- Specialist dementia-trained staff
- Memory care programs
- Secure environment
- Personalized activity schedules
- Family support services

Annual Cost: £75,400

Respite Care

Daily Rate: £120-£180
Average: £150/day

Short-term stays:
- Minimum 1 day, maximum 8 weeks typical
- Trial period before permanent placement
- Emergency cover for family carers
- Same care standards as permanent residents

Weekly Equivalent: £1,050

Regional Cost Variations

Cheltenham (8 care homes)

Higher Average Fees:
- Residential: £1,000-£1,300/week
- Nursing: £1,300-£1,700/week
- Dementia: £1,200-£1,800/week

Why More Expensive:
- Spa town location
- Modern facilities
- More amenities (spas, therapy rooms)
- Higher property costs
- Specialist dementia units

Best For: Families prioritizing amenities and location.

Gloucester (4 care homes)

Mid-Range Fees:
- Residential: £900-£1,150/week
- Nursing: £1,200-£1,500/week
- Dementia: £1,100-£1,500/week

Good Value:
- City location with hospital access
- Mix of older and newer facilities
- Good transport links
- Value-focused options available

Best For: Balancing cost with accessibility.

Cirencester (6 care homes)

Variable Pricing:
- Residential: £950-£1,250/week
- Nursing: £1,250-£1,650/week
- Dementia: £1,150-£1,700/week

Rural Premium:
- Market town setting
- Peaceful locations
- Smaller, homely environments
- Historic buildings (some converted estates)

Best For: Valuing peaceful, rural settings.

Stroud (4 care homes)

Competitive Rates:
- Residential: £900-£1,200/week
- Nursing: £1,200-£1,600/week
- Dementia: £1,100-£1,550/week

Valley Advantages:
- Beautiful views
- Community atmosphere
- Local character
- Good GP access

Best For: Scenic locations at reasonable cost.

Tewkesbury (2 care homes)

Moderate Pricing:
- Residential: £950-£1,200/week
- Nursing: £1,250-£1,600/week

Small Town Benefits:
- Close-knit community
- Historic market town
- Smaller facilities (more personal)
- Limited choice but good quality

Best For: Traditional market town atmosphere.

What Affects Care Home Costs?

1. Type of Care Required

Care Intensity:
- Residential care (basic personal care): Lower cost
- Nursing care (clinical needs): +20-30%
- Dementia care (specialized): +15-40%
- End-of-life care: Variable (may require nursing)

2. Room Type

Accommodation Options:
- Shared room: -15-20% discount
- Standard single: Base price
- Ensuite single: +£50-£100/week
- Premium suite: +£100-£200/week
- Ground floor: +£25-£50/week (mobility issues)

3. CQC Rating

Quality Premium:
- Requires Improvement: Lower fees
- Good rating: Standard pricing
- Outstanding rating: +10-15% premium

Worth it? Yes - better care quality justifies higher cost.

4. Facilities and Amenities

Premium Features Adding Cost:
- Therapy rooms/spa: +£50-£100/week
- Extensive gardens: +£30-£60/week
- On-site hairdresser: Included or extra
- Cinema/activity rooms: Usually included
- Chef-prepared meals: +£40-£80/week

5. Location and Demand

High-Demand Areas:
- Town centers: +10-15%
- Scenic locations: +5-10%
- Near hospitals: Standard pricing
- Rural isolated: -5-10%

What's Included in Weekly Fees?

Always Included

Standard Care Package:
- Accommodation (room and utilities)
- Three meals daily plus snacks
- Personal care assistance
- Medication administration
- Laundry and housekeeping
- Activities and entertainment
- 24-hour care staff
- Emergency call systems

Usually Included

Typical Extras:
- GP visits and liaison
- Basic toiletries
- Continence supplies
- Basic physiotherapy
- Pastoral care
- Family liaison

Additional Costs (Not Included)

Expect to Pay Extra:
- Hairdressing: £10-£25 per appointment
- Chiropody: £25-£40 per session
- Newspapers/magazines: £15-£30/month
- Personal shopping: Variable
- Outings and trips: £10-£50 per outing
- Specialized therapies: £30-£60/hour
- Private physiotherapy: £40-£70/session

Budget Extra: £100-£300/month for additional services.

Funding Options

Self-Funding (Private Pay)

Who Qualifies:
- Savings and assets over £23,250
- Property value included (if not occupied by spouse)
- Investment income counted

Advantages:
- Choice of any care home
- No waiting lists
- Can negotiate fees
- Change homes more easily

Planning:
- Average stay: 2-3 years
- Budget: £110,000-£220,000 total (residential care)
- Consider running out of funds (see "Deferred Payment")

Local Authority Funding (Council-Funded)

Who Qualifies:
- Savings and assets under £23,250
- Passed care needs assessment
- Financial assessment completed

Gloucestershire County Council Rates (2025):
- Residential care: £725/week
- Nursing care: £875/week
- Dementia care: £825/week

Important: These are maximum rates council will pay. Many homes charge more.

Limitations:
- Limited choice (homes accepting council rates)
- Waiting lists possible
- Less flexibility
- May share room

NHS Continuing Healthcare Funding

Who Qualifies:
- Primary health need (not social care need)
- Complex medical conditions
- Assessed by NHS multidisciplinary team
- Meets national framework criteria

If Approved:
- 100% funded by NHS
- No means test
- Full weekly fees covered
- Choice of homes within reasonable limit

Success Rate: Only 15-20% of applications approved.

Appeal Process: Available if initially rejected.

Nursing Care Contribution (NHS-Funded Nursing Care)

Automatic for Nursing Homes:
- £219.52/week (2025 rate)
- Paid directly to care home
- Reduces your cost
- No means test
- Covers registered nurse costs only

Example:
- Care home fee: £1,400/week
- NHS contribution: -£219.52/week
- Your cost: £1,180.48/week

Top-Up Fees (Third-Party Contributions)

When Needed:
- Council approves funding at £725/week
- Chosen home costs £1,100/week
- Difference: £375/week shortfall

Family Top-Up:
- Family pays the £375/week difference
- Written agreement required
- Must be sustainable long-term
- Reviewed annually

Warning: If top-up payer can't continue, resident may need to move.

Deferred Payment Agreements

How It Works:
- Council pays care home fees
- Debt secured against your property
- Property sold when empty (or death)
- Council repaid from sale proceeds

Who Qualifies:
- Property owner
- Assets under £23,250 (excluding property)
- No other residents in property
- Gloucestershire resident

Costs:
- Interest charged on loan (2.65% typical)
- Administration fees apply
- Property value must cover fees

Advantage: Avoids forced house sale during lifetime.

Cost-Saving Strategies

1. Compare Multiple Homes

Save: 10-20%

- Get fee schedules from 4-6 homes
- Compare like-for-like (same care type)
- Negotiate if paying privately
- Ask about move-in discounts

2. Choose Sensibly on Room Type

Save: £2,500-£5,000/year

- Standard room vs. premium: £50-£100/week savings
- Do you really need ensuite? Consider carefully
- Ground floor not essential? Save £25-£50/week

3. Check NHS Continuing Healthcare Eligibility

Save: 100% of fees

- Request assessment if health needs are primary
- Appeal if rejected (success rate 40%)
- Free advocacy support available
- Well worth pursuing

4. Apply for NHS-Funded Nursing Care

Save: £11,415/year

- Automatic if in nursing home
- Care home arranges (but check it's applied for)
- Reduces cost by £219.52/week

5. Consider Respite First

Save: Trial before committing

- Test home before permanent move
- Negotiate better rate after respite stay
- Avoid costly mistakes

6. Ask About Discounts

Possible Savings:
- Second resident from same family: 5-10% discount
- Upfront payment (6-12 months): 5% discount
- Moving from another home they own: 10% discount
- Referral bonuses: 1-2 weeks free

Financial Planning Timeline

6-12 Months Before Care Needed

Early Planning:
- Research care homes and costs
- Review financial situation
- Get property valued
- Consult financial advisor specializing in care
- Consider care cost insurance (if under 70)

3-6 Months Before

Assessment Phase:
- Contact council for care needs assessment
- Arrange financial assessment
- Apply for NHS Continuing Healthcare
- Explore Attendance Allowance (£72.65-£108.55/week)

1-3 Months Before

Funding Arrangements:
- Confirm funding sources
- Set up Deferred Payment Agreement (if applicable)
- Arrange top-up agreements
- Open account for care fees
- Set up direct debit

Move-In Week

Final Steps:
- Sign care home contract (read carefully!)
- Confirm payment method
- Establish review schedule
- Keep all financial records

Common Financial Mistakes

1. Not Planning Early Enough

Problem: Rushed decisions, miss funding opportunities
Solution: Start researching 12+ months ahead when possible

2. Assuming You'll Get Council Funding

Problem: 40% of over-65s have assets above £23,250 threshold
Solution: Check your financial position realistically

3. Ignoring NHS Continuing Healthcare

Problem: Miss chance for full NHS funding
Solution: Always request assessment if health needs are complex

4. Giving Away Assets to Qualify for Funding

Problem: "Deliberate deprivation" - council can still count assets
Solution: Seek proper financial advice before transferring property

5. Not Understanding Contract Terms

Problem: Surprise fees, notice periods, fee increases
Solution: Read contract thoroughly, ask questions, seek advice

6. Overspending on Unnecessary Features

Problem: Paying premium for features not used
Solution: Focus on care quality, not luxury extras

Fee Increases

Expect Annual Increases:
- 3-7% per year typical
- April most common time
- Inflation-linked
- Should be in contract

Example:
- Year 1: £1,200/week
- Year 2: £1,260/week (+5%)
- Year 3: £1,323/week (+5%)

10-Year Projection: £1,200/week → £1,956/week (5% annual)

Plan for increases when calculating affordability.

Questions to Ask About Costs

Before Choosing a Home

1. "What exactly is included in the weekly fee?"
2. "What additional costs should I expect?"
3. "How much do fees typically increase annually?"
4. "Do you offer any discounts or incentives?"
5. "What is your notice period and refund policy?"
6. "Do you accept council-funded residents?"
7. "What happens if I run out of money?"
8. "Can I see a sample contract before committing?"

About Funding

9. "Do you help with funding applications?"
10. "Have residents successfully obtained NHS Continuing Healthcare here?"
11. "Do you accept top-up arrangements?"
12. "What happens if the top-up payer can't continue?"

Resources and Support

Financial Advice

Free Resources:
- Age UK: 0800 678 1602
- Citizens Advice: citizensadvice.org.uk
- Independent Age: 0800 319 6789
- GOV.UK: Care home costs guidance

Professional Advice:
- Care fees financial advisors (Gloucestershire)
- Solicitors specializing in elderly care
- Accountants familiar with care planning

Gloucestershire County Council

Contact:
- Care needs assessment: 01452 426868
- Financial assessment: 01452 583600
- Adult Social Care: gloucestershire.gov.uk

NHS Continuing Healthcare

Assessment Requests:
- Through GP or hospital discharge team
- Gloucestershire ICB: 0300 421 8181
- Appeals: nhscomplaints.org

Benefits

Attendance Allowance:
- £72.65/week (lower rate)
- £108.55/week (higher rate)
- Apply: gov.uk/attendance-allowance
- Not means-tested

Conclusion

Care home costs in Gloucestershire range from £900-£1,800 per week depending on location, care type, and facilities. Most families pay £1,000-£1,500/week for quality care.

Key Takeaways:

- Budget £54,000-£75,000 per year for residential/nursing care
- Check all funding options (council, NHS, benefits)
- Compare multiple homes - prices vary significantly
- Factor in 5% annual fee increases
- Always request NHS Continuing Healthcare assessment
- Read contracts carefully before signing
- Plan financially as early as possible

Start Your Search:

Browse our directory of 24 CQC-registered care homes across Cheltenham, Gloucester, Cirencester, Stroud, and Tewkesbury. Compare weekly fees, facilities, and CQC ratings to find quality care within your budget.

Understanding costs empowers you to make informed decisions and plan confidently for your loved one's care.