The costs
Many people needing care find they’ll have to cover some or all of the costs themselves, and it can be daunting. But taking a few minutes to understand the costs can help you to choose your next steps carefully and avoid having to move to a new care provider later on if your care needs change.
In home care costs
United Kingdom Homecare Association (UKHCA) calculated the hourly rates needed to meet the UK Living Wage as £20.69 per hour of homecare. In Greater London this is £25.11 and in Scotland it is £21.99.
Care home costs
Care home fees can be significant and again, vary depending on where you live and your needs. In many homes you could expect to pay more than £1,000 per week, although the average weekly cost for a residential care home is approximately £650. This average increases to £900 where nursing care is required.
Ways of paying
There are several different ways you can pay for care, and most people find they need a combination of two or more to cover the full cost. These are some of the most common ways to pay:
Local Authority Funding
Your local authority may be eligible to cover some, or all, of your care cost.
NHS funding
If you have a nursing need as well as a social care need, the NHS could pay for some of your care.
State benefits
Regardless of means, every one needing care is likely to be eligible for an attendance allowance – it’s the most under claimed benefit in the UK.
Help to get the right advice
Depending on your finances, you may need what’s known as “whole of market” financial advice. We’re not qualified to give you this advice, which is why we’ve partnered with Society of Later Life Advisers (SOLLA) to provide you access to a panel of care-qualified Independent Financial Advisers. If you choose to use one of these advisers, we will received a small referral fee.
Need help?
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Find local help to you
Whether you need some help at home, or want to find out more about Care Homes in your area, our Finding Care tool can help.
Help if things go wrong
Getting care is a big step, and it's natural to want to be sure you'll be protected if anything doesn't feel right. Find out what to do if things don't go to plan and how to complain.