Free Home Healthcare
By Sandra Ferreira, Clinical Director at Lxiscare.
“My husband can’t really manage alone at home anymore. How much would it cost to get him some help, here in Portugal?”
This is one of the questions we hear most often from the foreign community living here in Portugal — whether you’re arranging support for yourself, or for a partner or parent who chose to grow older in this country.
In most cases, the question comes up after a fall, a hospital discharge, a worsening health condition, or simply when you start to notice that your loved one — or you yourself — can no longer manage certain daily tasks alone.
Naturally, cost is one of the first concerns. And when you’re settling into a new country, it isn’t always easy to know what’s a fair price, what’s actually included, or who to trust.
The answer, though, isn’t as simple as a fixed hourly rate or a flat monthly fee. The cost of a home care service depends on the specific needs of the person being cared for, the number of hours of support required, and the type of care involved.
In this article, we explain the factors that influence the price — and how to choose the right solution, wherever you are in your own journey here in Portugal.
What’s actually included in a home care service?
Many people assume home care is limited to personal hygiene or companionship. In reality, the service can cover much more than that.
Depending on the person’s needs, it can include:
- Daily hygiene support;
- Help dressing and undressing;
- Meal preparation;
- Support with eating;
- Medication administration as prescribed;
- Accompaniment to medical appointments and tests;
- Shopping and light household tasks;
- Mobility support and fall prevention;
- Companionship and cognitive stimulation;
- Overnight care;
- Round-the-clock care through a live-in carer.
That’s why two people receiving home care can end up with completely different costs.
The main factor: how many hours of support are needed?
Care needs vary enormously from person to person.
An 82-year-old who lives alone, is still largely independent, and only needs help with hygiene and preparing lunch may only need a few hours a day.
Someone living with Alzheimer’s, recovering from a stroke, or with significantly reduced mobility may need support almost around the clock.
The more hours of assistance required, the higher the cost — naturally.
Hourly home care
This option is often chosen by families who want to top up the care already provided by relatives.
It can work well for:
- Personal hygiene;
- Meal preparation;
- Companionship;
- Support getting to appointments;
- Supervision for a few hours a day.
It’s also a common solution after a hospital discharge or during a recovery period.
Live-in carers: when do they make sense?
One of the most common requests we get is for a live-in carer.
This usually comes up once the family realises their loved one shouldn’t be left alone for long stretches of time — something that’s often harder to judge from a distance, when you’re not there day to day.
We hear phrases like these often:
“During the day she still manages, but we worry about the nights.”
“My father has fallen twice this year.”
“My mother keeps forgetting her medication.”
In these situations, having a carer present around the clock can make a real difference to safety — and to peace of mind, including for family members following the situation from another country.
Beyond day-to-day care, there’s a benefit that’s often underestimated: companionship.
Loneliness is one of the biggest challenges many older people face, and regular company can have a very real, positive impact on emotional wellbeing.
Is home care more expensive than a care home?
Not necessarily.
When families start comparing options, price is usually the first thing they look at.
But it’s important to compare like with like.
In a care home, the person moves into a completely new environment, adapts to new routines, and shares care with other residents.
With home care, they stay in their own home, keep their habits, their belongings, their neighbours and their usual routine.
For many people — and many families — that has a value that’s hard to put a number on, especially when the home in question is the one they chose for their retirement in Portugal.
For that reason, the decision shouldn’t be based on cost alone, but also on quality of life and on what matters most to the person being cared for.
How to avoid choosing on price alone
This is one of the most important pieces of advice we can give.
When comparing quotes, make sure you understand:
- How caregivers are selected;
- What training they have;
- Whether there’s regular supervision;
- What happens if your usual carer is unavailable;
- How communication with the family works;
- Whether there’s an individual care plan.
A cheaper proposal can look appealing at first, but end up costing more if there’s no proper oversight or ability to respond when something unexpected happens — which matters even more when you’re not there in person to check.
What influences the final cost?
The most relevant factors are:
- Number of hours required;
- Level of dependency of the person being cared for;
- Need for overnight care;
- Presence of dementia or Alzheimer’s;
- Need for help with mobility or transfers;
- Geographic location;
- Need for round-the-clock support.
That’s why an initial assessment is essential to identify the right solution.
Every family’s situation is different
Over the years we’ve supported very different situations — from people who only need a few hours of support a week, to families looking for a permanent solution after a long hospital stay.
There’s no single answer that fits everyone.
The right solution is always the one that respects the needs of the person being cared for, the family’s situation, and the goals set for their care.
The number of hours needed varies a great deal with the moment. After a hospital discharge or a stroke, for instance, families commonly start with more hours in the first weeks and scale back as independence returns.
Need help assessing your situation?
If you’re considering home care and want to understand the right solution for your family member, the first step is a personalised assessment.
A proper assessment helps identify the real needs, avoid unnecessary costs, and make sure your loved one gets the level of support they actually need.
At Lxiscare, we carry out free, no-obligation assessments and help families — wherever they’re based — find the right solution. Our team speaks English, so distance and language don’t have to be a barrier. Get in touch to arrange yours.