Call Trudy Rogers on 01635 569670 | Email: info@rogers-legal.co.uk

Elderly Care

Elderly Care

If you or someone you look after needs care either at home or in a residential setting, there are many areas to consider in terms of practical, financial and of course emotional issues. Residential Care fees can vary substantially, but on average they cost at least £23,400 a year (£450 x 52 weeks) and Nursing Care may be substantially more. Care can also be delivered at home, but the costs will vary depending upon the level of care required.

The Care Act 2014 was partially implemented in April 2015 with the remaining provisions coming into effect in 2020. The changes in 2020 will bring in a new regime including the £72,000 'cap' on care costs.  Until 2020, the basic rule is that if you have capital funds in excess of £23,250 you cannot expect your local authority to pay all your care costs. Local authorities assess your eligibility for a contribution from them towards your residential care costs according to the Charging for Residential Accommodation Guide (CRAG). This means that unless you have capital assets below £14,250 the local authority will be looking for a contribution from you towards your care.

The NHS will pay towards nursing care, but only if the nursing needs are complex and severe. There is also NHS-funded nursing care that is a ‘contribution’ towards nursing costs, but this is not expected to pay for all costs. The costs of actual 'nursing' are usually additional to the residential costs that you face in a nursing home.

Paying for care can be expensive, but there are ways to prepare for the costs and ways to organise your assets. Alternatively, you may be paying for nursing care when this should be covered by the NHS. Please contact Trudy Rogers on 01635 569670 or Trudy.Rogers@rogers-legal.co.uk if you would like to discuss matters further.