Later Life Planning

 

Most people have experienced family or friends needing, additional support and care at some point in their lives, either at home or in a care home. You may even be reading this as a way of finding professional advice on your own immediate care needs. 

 

There are often substantial costs in volved in residential and nursing care, and how much you pay will depend on your individual circumstances.  

 

How care funding works 

 

You may be eligible for funding from the NHS or your local authority. Otherwise, you will need to pay for care fees from your own resources, which is known as self-funding. 

 

Where there is a primary healthcare need, you may be eligible for NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) funding. The NHS will carry out an assessment under national guidelines to decide whether you are eligible for support. 

 

If you aren’t eligible for fully funded care, you may receive support if you need nursing care and you are in a care home that offers it. This is called NHS Funded Nursing Care (FNC) which provides a standard non-means tested amount each week.  

 

If you don’t qualify for NHS support, your local authority will assess your care needs and your ability to fund them. The level of support you receive will depend on your level of capital: 

 

• Below £14,250 in England and Northern Ireland (£18,500 in Scotland, £24,000 if you receive care in your own home or £50,000 if you receive care in a care home in Wales) – you will be entitled to the maximum funding for your care. 

• Between £14,250 and £23,250 in England and Northern Ireland (£18,500 and £29,750 in Scotland, partial support is not available in Wales) – your local authority will assess your finances and care needs to determine how much support you are entitled to and may also help with your first 12 weeks of care costs. 

• Over £23,250 in England and Northern Ireland (£32,750 in Scotland, £24,000 if you receive care in your own home or £50,000 if you receive care in a care home in Wales) – your local authority will not offer financial support, and you must fund your own care home fees. 

 

So, if you are a ‘self-funder’ it is worth understanding the 9 different ways of funding your care, either at home (domiciliary care) or in a care home (residential care). The following guide will provide you with valuable information the care system and the issues you need to consider before meeting with us to discuss how we might be able to help. 

 

We offer a confidential exploratory discussion, without charge or obligation, to discuss your circumstances and establish whether we are able to add value through professional advice.