24-hour senior care at home in Switzerland

Home vs. care home

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How much does a care home cost in Switzerland? And how does care at home compare?

Choosing between a place in a care home and care at home has a major impact – emotionally, organisationally and financially. Many families still believe that a care home is the only option besides outpatient nursing services. But that is not the case: 24-hour care at home is not only more personal and flexible than traditional nursing services – it is often more cost-effective than a care home place and provides more support than outpatient care by the hour. The short answer first: a place in a care home in Switzerland costs on average CHF 8’000 to 12’000 a month, of which around CHF 6’900 has to be paid by residents themselves after health insurance and public contributions. 24-hour care at home starts at CHF 5’080 a month for five days of care and CHF 7’530 for seven days; to get to know us, there is a 13-day trial from CHF 3’700.

How much does a care home place cost in Switzerland?

According to Curaviva Schweiz, the average monthly cost of a care home place is around CHF 10’216.–.

This is made up of:

Cost item Amount/month
Board and lodging (accommodation, meals)
CHF 4’124.–
Nursing costs (Health Insurance Act, KVG)
CHF 4’401.–
Care and support costs
CHF 1’529.–
Other services
CHF 162.–
Total
CHF 10'216.-

The public sector covers only part of this, depending on the care level and the canton. Most of it (around two thirds) remains with residents or their families.

How much does care at home cost?

Our monthly flat rate for 24-hour care in your own home starts at CHF 5’080.– for five days of care a week and CHF 7’530.– for seven days, including:

  • Personal care and support (5 or 7 days/week, 24h/day)
  • Household help, mobility support, companionship
  • 24-hour emergency hotline
  • A personal contact person
  • Contract handling, organisation and quality assurance

In addition, Spitex (home nursing service), working together with us, provides all medical and nursing services under the Health Care Benefits Ordinance (KLV), such as wound care, medication and injections – billed directly to the health insurer.

Especially worthwhile: two people in the same household

If two older people live in the same home, the monthly care costs stay almost the same – quite unlike two places in a care home. Families can quickly save several thousand francs a month this way – while also getting more individual care.

1:1 care

Care at home

Yes

Care home

Rarely

One familiar 
caregiver

Care at home

Yes

Care home

often changing

Life in familiar 
surroundings

Care at home

Yes

Care home

No

Keep your own
daily routine

Care at home

Yes

Care home

Hardly possible

Pets allowed

Care at home

Yes

Care home

Usually not

Free choice
of caregiver

Care at home

Yes

Care home

No

Activities of
your choice

Care at home

Yes

Care home

Limited

Encourages 
independence

Care at home

Yes

Care home

Routine-driven

Tax-deductible &
eligible for supplementary benefits

Care at home

Yes

Care home

Yes

Personal
contact person
for the family

Care at home

Yes

Care home

often unclear

Conclusion: care at home is more than an alternative

For many older people, care at home is the better solution – both personally and financially. It offers:

  • A better quality of life
  • Less upheaval
  • Comparable or lower costs
  • More personal care
  • Flexible funding through helplessness allowance (Hilflosenentschädigung), supplementary benefits (EL), supplementary insurance (VVG) & tax deductions

What the cost comparison doesn’t show

A comparison in francs is only one half of the decision. The other half cannot be put into figures, but often matters more to the people concerned.

In a care home, staff are shared among many residents. The daily routine, mealtimes and rhythm are set by the institution. With care at home, one person’s attention is on you, and the day continues to follow your own habits. For people with dementia, this familiarity can make all the difference, because fixed routines and familiar rooms provide orientation.

On the other hand, a care home offers something that cannot be recreated at home: skilled nursing staff on site and a community with other residents. People who live in social isolation or need intensive nursing care may be better looked after there. The honest answer is therefore: it depends on whether nursing care or everyday life is the priority.

Frequently asked questions about the comparison

Often, yes. A place in a care home costs on average CHF 8’000 to 12’000 a month, of which around two thirds, roughly CHF 6’900, is borne by residents (source: Federal Statistical Office and Curaviva). 24-hour care starts at CHF 5’080 a month for five days and CHF 7’530 for seven days.

Because two places have to be paid for in a care home, whereas at home one caregiver supports the shared household. This makes the cost advantage considerably greater.

Support with everyday life is not a nursing service and is therefore not covered by basic health insurance. Medical nursing care is coordinated with Spitex and billed to the health insurer. Depending on the situation, a helplessness allowance, supplementary benefits or supplementary insurance may also contribute.

When intensive medical nursing care and constant supervision by nursing professionals are the priority, or when the living situation does not allow care at home, for example because there is no room for the caregiver.

Yes, with the 13-day trial from CHF 3’700. This lets you weigh up the decision against moving into a care home calmly before choosing a longer-term solution.