Paying for care
As we get
older, we all want to have a happy, active retirement and enjoy life as
independently as possible for as long as possible. That’s why it’s difficult to
imagine a time when we might need care and support from others. However, if and
when care does become a reality, paying for it can be a daunting
task.
What many
people don’t realise is that in most cases, care is not provided free of charge
(unless for example, it is being paid for by the NHS because you are in
hospital). Whether you are receiving care in your own home or in a care home,
one way or another, it has to be paid for.
You may have
concerns about the costs involved, so here are a few things that you should be
aware of:
Free
care after leaving hospital
If you’ve had
a prolonged stay in hospital and are ready to be discharged, it may be
appropriate to consider intermediate or reablement services. These services
will help boost your recovery, re-build your confidence and give you a bit of
breathing space to consider your needs and whether they can be provided for at
home or in a more formal residential or nursing setting. Both types of care can
be provided for up to six weeks free of charge.
Getting
NHS funding
If you are
not in hospital and have been assessed as having a ‘primary health need’, you
may qualify for NHS Continuing Health Care
Funding which is the
name given to a package of care that is arranged and funded solely by the NHS.
However, it’s not always easy to obtain and more often than not, people
receive NHS Funded Nursing Care instead. This is care provided by
a registered nurse for people who live in a care home. The NHS pays a flat rate
contribution directly to the care home towards the cost of this registered
nursing care.
Benefits
If you have
care needs, there are some benefits you can claim depending on your age and
health to help you manage the extra costs such as attendance allowance.
Attendance allowance is not means tested and therefore is not affected by your
level of income or savings in the bank.
In addition,
you may be able to claim a 25% reduction in your council tax if you have a live-in carer, as your
carer may not count as an occupant. There may also be a reduction if you or
someone you live with has a ‘severe mental impairment’, which includes an
illness that affects the brain, such as dementia, or even a brain injury. More
information can be found here https://www.gov.uk/council-tax/discounts-for-disabled-people
Financial
services providers
There are
financial products available to assist with paying for care and it is important
to speak to an independent financial adviser, such as one accredited by
the Society of Later Life
Advisers.
Your will
and care fees
You may want
to consider your will and how it leaves your property – should it go to your
spouse immediately? Or would you like to pass a share of the property to your children
or another beneficiary. The use of trusts in wills can be a useful way of
protecting your assets and should be discussed with your solicitor who can
advise on the options available to you.
Legal advice
You should
ensure that you seek advice from a specialist lawyer. Solicitors for the
Elderly (SFE) is an organisation of accredited solicitors and legal executives
who can assist you in all areas of law relating to the older person. Details of
a local accredited lawyer near you can be found on the SFE website here.
For further information, please click on the following link to read more about paying for care.