If you are identified as someone who needs to pay for care home fees, your local council must look at your care needs and decide what the best options are to provide you with that care. They will not (and can not) ask you about your financial standing at this stage, but you will be assessed according to your savings and investments.
What type of care could be recommended for me?
All care homes for older people will prepare and serve meals to residents, but the types of staff provision will vary. If you are identified as needing care, you will be recommended the best type of care home according to any illnesses you may have and any day-to-day requirements that are likely to affect your routine. For example, if you need medication, a normal care home can provide this. If you need medical attention, you may be recommended an alternative home.
Some care homes provide services for people with mental illness or physical complaints which need to be monitored by a qualified nurse. Others simply provide private accommodation for residents, with care staff on-call to provide support with day-to-day tasks such as getting washed in the morning.
Care homes with nursing facilities may be recommended to a patient who does not need nursing care but may do so in future, as it is likely to be more sensible not to move a patient who is ill once their needs develop.
Is care free of charge on the NHS?
Care is not free on the NHS and those who are assessed for care home fees find that the care is normally paid for by the patient or the local council. The only time you can expect to receive ‘free’ residential care would be if you were housed temporarily in a care home for a short period of time. Older people who have surgery or other in-patient treatment are a good example of a group who may qualify for this temporary, free care allowance. This is because they are able to move back to their own homes shortly afterwards.
How much will care home fees cost me?
If you have capital totalling more than £23,250, you will be asked to pay for the entire cost of your care. The £23,250 figure does not take the value of your property into account; the assessment applies to things like savings or shares. Anyone asked to pay for care should arrange an appointment with a financial adviser to ensure they distribute their savings in the most economical way. A financial adviser will also help you to safeguard against overspending in certain areas and running out of money for essential living costs.
You may also wish to consider an equity release scheme to generate a second income, to pay out a lump sum, or achieve a combination of both. Equity release can be set up as a special type of mortgage and you can usually continue to live in your home. Some plans involve entering into a loan agreement, but the accrued interest will never exceed the value of the property, so you will not reach negative equity. This option naturally reduces the inheritance you may have planned to leave for your family, but it can be a very effective way of raising funds if you do not wish to relocate or sell your home.
If you have less than £23,250, you will be subject to income assessment and may be asked to pay a certain contribution. You may be eligible for council funding as well. If so, your council may offer to pay you directly so you can make your own care arrangements. This is normally set up on the condition that you keep a detailed record of how the money is spent. There are some terms and conditions attached: for example, you cannot use council money to pay a member of the family to look after you, unless they are a professional carer and they live in your home specifically to look after you.
Is any further help available?
Some people may be eligible for benefits to help with the cost of care home fees, and some charities will help if you are genuinely in need.
Disabled people should enquire about grants which may be available for them to adapt their home so they can continue to live there. If you choose this option you will be expected to stay in your home for a minimum number of years thereafter.
Is any help available for carers?
Yes, but the provision varies according to where you live. If you are caring for an elderly relative you should be entitled to support of some kind. Enquire with your GP, your local library or contact your local council if you feel you need financial or practical help, time off from caring or any other support.
