Care Provision & Costs
Information & advice about choosing, and paying, for care provision
When the time comes that a person requires care, it can be overwhelming finding the right care provider and knowing what the financial implications will be.
What type of care is available?
There are many options available and the most suitable can be identified by having a Care Needs Assessment.
- Care Homes
- Nursing Homes
- Sheltered Accommodation
- Assisted Living
- Day Centres
- Live in Care
- Home Care (Domiciliary Care)
A Care Needs Assessment is carried out by the local authority, usually by an occupational therapist, and identifies any care needs and the best way to meet those needs.
Choosing a Care Provider
Deciding on a care provider for your loved one can be a daunting task. Below are some tips which may help:
- Visit the Care Choices website; they offer overviews on local providers and you can download a handy checklist to compare providers and how they meet your needs
- If possible, visit the care/nursing home
- Seek recommendations from people who have experience of the service
- Check the Care Quality Commission (CQC) website. The CQC is the independent regulator of health and social care in the UK. Care providers are registered with the CQC are inspected and rated, taking into account the views of service users and their families
After an inspection, a report is written; these reports are available to the CQC website.
How much will care cost?
If eligible needs are identified after a Care Needs Assessment, a financial assessment will need to be completed to decide if the individual will need to pay for their care (self funding) or whether the local authority will pay all or some of the cost.
The financial assessment is based on upper and lower limits of savings which are set by the government. These limits are subject to change year on year; the current limits are:
- Upper limit – £23,250
- Lower limit – £14,250
It is important to remember that any assessment will only take into account the savings and assets of the person with the care needs. The income or savings of a spouse or partner will not be taken into consideration and where there is a joint bank or savings account, only a percentage will be taken into account.
If care is to be provided in the home, your property will not be taken into account.
If you would like more information about care needs assessments or financial assessments, speak to one of our advice workers.
