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Paying for care
The system for paying for care can be quite complicated. This is because the amount you might have to pay will very much depend upon your circumstances. Various factors will be taken into account, such as:
- the level of care you need;
- how much money you have coming in; and
- whether or not you own your own home.
It is a good idea to obtain as much information as you can about these issues, as well as talking to someone who knows the system and who will be able to guide you through the rules and procedures.
A lot of information about paying for residential care is available, and it can be difficult finding your way around and trying to take it all in. It will help if you can find the information you need, presented in a way that you are comfortable with.
There are several ways to do this, so you will be able to choose the best option for you.
Giving away your assets
It is against the law to transfer ownership of an asset to another person specifically to avoid paying your care home fees. There is no time limit as to how far back the council can go to find out if you have given away assets to avoid paying care costs. If this is found, the council can treat you as if you still had the asset and you will have to pay for your care accordingly. If the transfer was within six months of you needing care then the council can recover the cost of your care from the person(s) who received the gift. The law states that if you've transferred an asset to another person within the six months before you get a place in a care home, your local council can make you pay your care home fees.
For further information, read Age UK's information on Deprivation of assets and the care homes means test.
If you need to discuss this with someone, you may wish to contact one of the organisations listed in our section on Legal advice.
NHS Continuing Healthcare and NHS-funded Nursing Care
NHS continuing healthcare is the name given to a package of services which is arranged and funded by the NHS for people outside hospital with ongoing health needs. You can get continuing healthcare in any setting, including your own home or in a care home. NHS continuing healthcare is free, unlike help from social services for which a charge may be made depending on your income and savings.
In your own home, this means that the NHS will pay for healthcare (e.g. services from a community nurse or specialist therapist) and personal care (e.g. help with bathing, dressing and laundry). In a care home, the NHS pays for your care home fees, including board and accommodation.
Anyone assessed as requiring a certain level of care need can get NHS continuing healthcare. It is not dependent on a particular disease, diagnosis or condition, nor on who provides the care or where that care is provided. If your overall care needs show that your primary need is a health one, you should qualify for continuing healthcare. The primary health need should be assessed by looking at all of your care needs and relating them to four key indicators:
- nature – the type of condition or treatment required and its quality and quantity
- complexity – symptoms that interact, making them difficult to manage or control
- intensity – one or more needs which are so severe that they require regular interventions
- unpredictability – unexpected changes in condition that are difficult to manage and present a risk to you or to others
Applying for NHS continuing healthcare is not an easy process to go through or to understand. It is a complex and highly sensitive area which affects people at what is usually a very vulnerable stage in their lives. For more information, visit the NHS Choices website, or read Age UK's information on NHS continuing healthcare and NHS-funded nursing.
Other useful organisations
CareAware is a non-profit making public information and advisory service specialising in the issues relating to long-term care for older people. They were established to fulfil the role of providing independent advice on matters of care and to do so from the perspective of the person needing the care. To find out more, contact them using the details given below, or visit their website.
Counsel and Care has an Advice Service supports people aged over 60 years old, their families and their carers. They give advice on various issues, including paying for residential care, by telephone, letter and email. They also have access to an interpretation and translation service. If you have a problem, they will hopefully have the capacity to support you through it until it is resolved. To find out more, contact them using the details given below.
FirstStop Advice is an independent, free service providing advice and information for older people, their families and carers about housing and care options in later life. FirstStop also offers useful information for carers looking for support and advice. The service is provided by Elderly Accommodation Counsel (EAC) in partnership with other national and local organisations, and brings together a wealth of expertise through one telephone number and one website to help older people and their carers explore the choices open to them and access the housing, support and care services they need.
For more information, call the Advice Line on 0800 377 7070, or visit the FirstStop website.
Newcastle City Council has information on charges for residential care services on its website.
Other useful information
The following resources also cover various aspects of paying for residential care:
- Paying for Long Term Care in England factsheet - This information has been developed by a group of public organisations and charities to help people to make better and more informed decisions about paying for care and to encourage people to get information and advice about the use of their money in this area.
- Age UK's information on Paying for permanent residential care
- Age UK's information on Paying for temporary care in a care home
- Age UK's information on The means test and your property
- Care Fees Advice Agency - This site covers the types of care available, the legal steps you may wish to take when moving into care, state benefits and options for self funding care.
- The Whereforcare website contains reviews of care homes by people who live in them and their families, as well as giving more general information on choosing a care home and fees advice.
Article last updated December 17, 2011 6:20 pm
