Funding of Care
If you find that you are not eligible for the cost of your care to be paid, it is good practice to consider the options that are available to you. It is beyond the scope of this information leaflet to say what is likely to be the best course of action in each case, however the following are a few options that could be considered: • Invest any available capital in order to create income. • If the potential resident owns a property, they could consider applying to the Local Authority for the Deferred Payment Scheme. This essentially involves the Local Authority paying for the care and putting an equivalent charge on the property of the person receiving care. (A top-up may be required to meet the care home’s full fees). • Consider purchasing a Care Fees Payment Plan. This option involves using capital to buy a guaranteed monthly income for the remainder of the resident’s life. • Again, if a property is involved, another option might be to rent out the property in order to create income. The field of care funding can be extremely complex and can represent something of a minefield to the unwary. At Four Seasons we recommend that you take the time to talk with professionals in order to ensure that your funding decisions are well informed.
Who can I contact for advice?
All the information given here is general – more detailed information is dependent on your individual circumstances. Your local Social Services Department will be able to advise you further, as will the likes of Age Concern, Help the Aged, or the Benefits Agency. There are financial planning schemes available and further information can be obtained by contacting the following national organisations: NHFA Care Fees Advice Care Advice Line: 0800 998833 E mail: enquiries@nhfa.co.uk Website: www.nhfa.co.uk
Advice on Funding of Care
FOUR SEASONS
H E A L T H C A R E
SAGA (Care Funding Advice Service) Tel: 0800 056 7996 Email: carehomes@saga.co.uk Website: www.saga.co.uk/ltc
Please quote ref. – F.S.Y.
Four Seasons Health Care Emerson Court, Alderley Road, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 1NX Tel: 01625 417800 Fax: 01625 417827 E-mail: fourseasons@fshc.co.uk Website: www.fshc.co.uk
The information included here is correct, to the best of our knowledge, at the current time. Please check for the current financial levels and bandings in force. 09/07-14062
Caring
for
you... personally, practically and professionally
Paying for Care
Moving into care can be a bit daunting, no more so than when looking into the complex process of paying for care. This leaflet outlines some of the key points about paying for care, but we would encourage you to seek further specialist advice. Broadly, the charges for staying in a care home are divided into three different elements: • Nursing care is care provided by a qualified nurse. • Personal care is said to be care provided by a carer (such as help with dressing, eating, bathing, mobility etc.). • Accommodation (which includes food, heating and living costs).
• England - If you wish to be considered for support, the NHS will assess a person’s nursing needs. If you meet their criteria, the NHS will contribute a sum, according to the level of nursing input. They will pay the amounts for anybody who funds their own personal care and accommodation. This money is paid directly to the care home, leaving the client only the personal care and accommodation to pay for. • N. Ireland and Wales - People in care homes in N. Ireland and Wales receive a flat rate per week towards their nursing costs. • Scotland - See below.
If you have assets of under this level, your Local Authority department will carry out both clinical and financial assessments to determine what type of care package best suits your needs and how much they believe you can contribute towards your care. In many cases the amount the Local Authority will pay, together with the amount they say you need to contribute, plus any payments by the NHS, will cover the cost of your fees. However, if you want to move into a care home whose total fees are higher than this figure, then the extra amount can be ‘topped up’ by a relative/friend or charity. If you own your own home prior to entering a care home, the value of your home will be included in your assets, unless the house is occupied by your partner, a relative who is aged 60 or over or is incapacitated, or a child under 16 who you or a former partner, who is a lone parent, is liable to maintain. • In Scotland the funding of care is dealt with by the Local Authority. All potential clients requiring care home services are assessed by the Local Authority who determine if personal care or nursing care is required and additionally whether the person will be able to pay for the care themselves as a self funding resident or alternatively be funded by the Local Authority. Local Authority funded residents contribute towards their care fees out of their weekly benefits and self funding residents receive a flat rate per week towards their personal care costs, with a further sum if nursing care is required. It is important that the Local Authority is contacted in advance when moving to a care home is being considered.
Four Seasons Charging Policy
Where eligibility for nursing care is agreed by the NHS, these payments will normally be made direct to the care home. Therefore the charge to the resident will generally be for the accommodation and personal care only, unless otherwise agreed.
Can I get any financial assistance?
There is financial support available to residents in nursing or residential care homes, but this varies between countries in the UK. For people entering a care home and requiring financial help, you should first contact your Local Authority’s Social Services Department in the area in which you are regarded as a permanent resident. Subject to the Local Authority having sufficient funds available, you will be assessed by Social Services for your personal care needs. You will then need to satisfy the criteria of a financial assessment in order to receive assistance with fees (based on similar rules to those for income support). They will ask the NHS locally, to assess your need for nursing care. You may be entitled to a contribution from the NHS towards your nursing costs.
Attendance Allowance
Attendance allowance is a tax-free, non means-tested weekly benefit. If you are over 65 and paying for your own care in a care home then you are likely to be eligible. If you are in a care home in Scotland you will not be eligible for attendance allowance but it is effectively included within the weekly flat rate contribution towards the cost of your personal care and the further sum if nursing care is required - see below.
Personal Care and Accommodation
• In England, N. Ireland and Wales, if you have over a certain level of savings and assets, you will be expected to pay the full cost of your personal care and accommodation.