Funding
Funding and other information
How will you pay?
If you or your family are planning to pay for the full costs of a care home you don’t need to contact Social Services. However they are happy to advise you on any areas you may need help with. Alternatively, if you think you will be unable to pay, you will need to contact your local Social Services office. They will help you to decide if a care home is the best option. This is called an assessment.
Who qualifies for local authority financial assistance?
If you have been assessed as needing a care home place and your capital is below £23,250, you should be entitled to financial support from your local authority.
If the state is paying do I have a choice of care home?
Yes and it can even be in a different county. The home you choose must be suitable for your assessed needs, comply with any terms and conditions set by the authority – and not cost any more than that authority would usually pay for someone with your needs.
What if the home costs more than the local authority is prepared to pay for?
The local authority will allow the fees to be topped up by a third party, providing they are able to do so over the long term. You are not allowed to top up the fees yourself from capital below £23,250.
My partner needs care, how does this financially affect me?
Only the partner requiring care should be means tested. Property occupied by a partner is disregarded and only 50% of any private pension should be taken into account. The Local Authority will take into account 50% of joint savings.
Do I have to pay council tax on an empty property?
If you move into a care home and your property is left empty, then you should receive full exemption from Council Tax until it’s sold.
Pension credit
If your weekly income (including income from savings) is less than £142.70 for a single person or £217.90 if you have a partner, you may be entitled to Pension Credit, which will top up your weekly income to at least these financial levels.
Attendance allowance
This is a non-means tested, non-taxable allowance of £51.85 for those needing care by day or night and £77.45 for those needing both day and night care.
NHS Nursing Care Contributions
Whether temporary or permanent, if you stay in a care home and need nursing care, the NHS will provide a contribution of £108.70 (as at January 2013) subject to advice from the home and assessment by the NHS.
Financial products to meet care costs
There are ways of meeting care costs for as long as you need it, whilst only using up part of your capital. Speak to reputable firms to compare the products and ask a friend or relative, who you trust, to give you their opinion on the options available. You may also be entitled to additional allowances. By talking with Social Services or someone from Age UK, you can get a full understanding of the funding available to you. It is important to plan ahead to assess what your budget is likely to be for a care home both now and in the future.
For further details you can visit www.careaware.co.uk for a wide range of information and advice or www.caredirections.co.uk for specific information about costs.
Types of care
Personal care
Often referred to as residential homes, these homes provide help with personal care such as dressing and supervising medication, they do not provide constant nursing care.
Nursing care
Often called nursing homes, they provide personal and nursing care 24 hours a day for people who are bedridden, very frail or have a medical condition or illness that requires regular attention from nursing staff.
Dual Registered Homes
Some homes provide personal and nursing care. The advantage being that a resident can simply upgrade their level of care if they need to rather than having to move homes.
Dementia care
Homes providing dementia care have an additional category of registration (DE) and are specialised to provide this type of care.
Respite care
A stay in a care home does not have to be permanent. You may stay for a while to give your carer a break or to enable you to recover from an illness or minor operation.
What should I consider when choosing a care home?
Simple Steps:
Contact Local Authority for list of Care Homes in your local area
Read inspection report from Care Quality Commission website (easily search the name of the Home)
Visit each Homes websites and look at their testimonials and Pictures if there is any.
Re-Arrange the order of your list according to local authority and inspection report and as per your choice.
Visit the Homes – make sure you observe everything
Make final decision based on your experience.
When considering a home you should consider the following things:
Friends and family
How easy will it be for friends and family to visit you? Is the home in a location that they can regularly visit? Is there somewhere you can entertain friends and family?
Immediate impressions
Consider the surroundings you will be in. If you enjoy the garden, look and see how suitable the homes garden is and whether you have easy access. Consider the atmosphere and the attitude of the staff when you visit. How content are the residents you see and meet?
The level of care
Is the home able to provide the care you need.
Specific needs
Can the home cater for any cultural, spiritual or dietary requirements that you have? Are there exercise activities? What social events are organised? Do they have a quiet and comfortable lounge?
Services and support
What are your options for seeing a GP? Will this be your GP? Do they provide additional services if you require them, such as hairdressers, chiropody, dentists etc? Are there toilets in easy reach?
Routines
Do you want a set routine or do you want to be as independent as you can. Do you want plenty of activities? How will you fit in with the people, the activities and routines? Do you decide when to get up and go to bed?
Your hobbies and social life
Will you be able to continue your hobbies in the home? What new opportunities are there? What activities are organised?
Your room
Have you seen the room you would have? How much privacy do you have? Is there a call system? What facilities do the rooms offer?
Meals
What are the meals like and do they suit you? How much importance is placed on the quality of the food? Do you have choices? Is there a dining room? Can you eat in your room if you prefer to?
Facilities
If there is a communal TV lounge, how is the TV station chosen? Is there a separate communal room where you can enjoy peace and quiet or chat with visitors? Is there a bar? Are there facilities for those who wish to smoke? Is there Internet access?
Pets
If you have a pet, will you be able to take them with you? Does the home have any pets?
Residents/relatives association or committee
Is there any regular meeting with the care home team? Is there a way of discussing any problems or ideas you might have? Will you and your family have a say in how your care home works with you?
A trial stay
Most homes will be happy for you to stay for a week just to see how you feel.
Homes Inspection Report
Have you seen the latest inspection report? Was this offered to you to read?
Funding
How will you pay?
If you or your family are planning to pay for the full costs of a care home you don’t need to contact Social Services. However they are happy to advise you on any areas you may need help with. Alternatively, if you think you will be unable to pay, you will need to contact your local Social Services office. They will help you to decide if a care home is the best option. This is called an assessment.
Who qualifies for local authority financial assistance?
If you have been assessed as needing a care home place and your capital is below £23,250, you should be entitled to financial support from your local authority.
If the state is paying do I have a choice of care home?
Yes and it can even be in a different county. The home you choose must be suitable for your assessed needs, comply with any terms and conditions set by the authority – and not cost any more than that authority would usually pay for someone with your needs.
What if the home costs more than the local authority is prepared to pay for?
The local authority will allow the fees to be topped up by a third party, providing they are able to do so over the long term. You are not allowed to top up the fees yourself from capital below £23,250.
My partner needs care, how does this financially affect me?
Only the partner requiring care should be means tested. Property occupied by a partner is disregarded and only 50% of any private pension should be taken into account. The Local Authority will take into account 50% of joint savings.
Do I have to pay council tax on an empty property?
If you move into a care home and your property is left empty, then you should receive full exemption from Council Tax until it’s sold.
Pension credit
If your weekly income (including income from savings) is less than £145.40 for a single person or £222.05 if you have a partner, you may be entitled to Pension Credit, which will top up your weekly income to at least these financial levels.
You don’t pay tax on Pension Credit.
Attendance allowance
This is a non-means tested, non-taxable allowance of £53 for those needing care by day or night and £79.15 for those needing both day and night care.
Attendance Allowance rates
|
Rate |
Level of help you need |
|
Lower rate - £53 |
Frequent help or constant supervision during the day, or supervision at night |
|
Higher rate - £79.15 |
Help or supervision throughout both day and night, or you’re terminally ill |
You could get extra Pension Credit, Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction if you get Attendance Allowance - check with the helpline or office dealing with your benefit.
NHS Nursing Care Contributions
Whether temporary or permanent, if you stay in a care home and need nursing care, the NHS will provide a contribution of £108.70 (as at January 2013) subject to advice from the home and assessment by the NHS.
Financial products to meet care costs
There are ways of meeting care costs for as long as you need it, whilst only using up part of your capital. Speak to reputable firms to compare the products and ask a friend or relative, who you trust, to give you their opinion on the options available. You may also be entitled to additional allowances. By talking with Social Services or someone from Age UK, you can get a full understanding of the funding available to you. It is important to plan ahead to assess what your budget is likely to be for a care home both now and in the future.
For further details you can visit www.payingforcare.co.uk for a wide range of information and advice or www.caredirections.co.uk for specific information about costs.