Put care into home plans
AS PEOPLE age and their health fails, they and their families face one of the toughest decisions of all, how to organise care and whether to go into a home.
Finding social care is complex and can be expensive, as nursing homes may charge more than £1,000 a week.
This can destroy family wealth and inheritances – even the new £86,000 care cap coming into force from October will do little to prevent that.
Most people will want to continue living at home for as long as possible, with support from family and friends, and maybe outside carers as well.
Help with everyday living tasks such as getting washed and dressed, preparing meals and cleaning, is known as domiciliary care.
You will not get local authority help if your total assets are worth more than £23,250 in England, and only get full support once they fall below £14,250 – the lower capital limit.
If you own your home and live there alone, it will count towards the means test, but may be excluded if your spouse, partner or a disabled relative lives there.The means test will also take into consideration your income, and if that’s enough to cover your care costs, again, you have to pay yourself.This is known as self-funding.
You will require a needs assessment from your council, which will set out what services are available locally.
You can find info on government portal Gov.uk, or charity Age UK offers support through its free advice line on 0800 678 1602, at Ageuk.org. uk or via one of its branches.
Residential care homes charge up to £849 a week, or £44,148 a year, according to business intelligence provider LaingBuisson, while nursing care homes cost up to £1,075 per week, or £55,900 a year. Some charge even more, especially in London and the south east.
At that rate, families see a lifetime’s wealth depleted when someone needs care for just a year or two.
You can hunt for local homes via directories such as Autumna.co.uk and CareChoices.co.uk.
Autumna founder Debbie Harris warned: “Make sure the directory offers a full list of registered homes, rather than only those that pay them a referral fee.”
Choose a home close to the person who is most likely to visit: “Then decide whether you need residential care, or nursing support on top.”
Your decision will also depend on who is paying. Local authorities pay on average only £596 a week towards residential care and £764 for nursing care, at the lower end of the scale. Families or friends could pay top-up fees if unhappy with what that buys.
Another consideration is timing: “If you need a care home right away, that may determine your decision.”
Call your shortlist of homes to discuss your needs and arrange a tour. Harris added: “Make sure you see the exact bedroom, communal areas, garden and food. Ultimately, it all comes down to the people working there, so talk to them.”
Most people who arranged care found the system complex and were shocked at the expense, retirement specialist Just Group found.
Director Stephen Lowe added: “Families who plan ahead put themselves in a stronger situation.”