Families’ care home costs double as council funding is falling short
CARE home costs met by residents and their relatives have almost doubled in a decade, figures reveal.
A lack of funding from councils means families are being forced to spend more on the service which used to be provided by the state.
“Self-funding” for care home places has risen from £3.97billion in 2007 to £7.74billion last year – an increase of 95 per cent, according to research by market analysts LaingBuisson.
Meanwhile, state funding for care rose by just 14 per cent, from £8.1billion to £9.1billion.
Social care provision in England is means-tested, so those with more than £23,500 in their savings or assets have to contribute.
Analysis by charity Independent Age estimates that more than 338,520 older people have sold their home to pay for care since a Royal Commission called for such charges to be axed in 1999.
The Commission criticised the penalising of homeowners and those with savings. It said personal care should be free for those who need it. Last year 176,000 families paid the full costs of care home fees, up from 145,000 in 2007. On average, self-funders are paying fees of £846 a week, the analysis found – or £44,000 a year. Caroline Abrahams of Age UK said the figures showed self-funders “are getting an increasingly raw deal”. She said: “In effect these people are being hit by a stealth tax and saving the Government a mint – just because they are unlucky enough to need care.”
George McNamara of Independent Age added: “Rebuiliding our social care system is now a national emergency.”