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Paying for a care home

The type of care you require, where you live and the amount of capital you have will affect how much you have to contribute to care in a care home.

 

How much does care cost?

The cost of care in a care home depends on a number of factors, including:

  • the type and level of care you need
  • the location of the home
  • the style of the care home
  • the size of the room
  • the level of services offered

The fees generally cover 24-hour personal care (and 24-hour nursing care if you are assessed as needing it), as well as accommodation, meals, laundry, some bills and some of the services offered in the home.

What funding assistance is available?

Retired people with capital over a certain amount normally have to pay their full accommodation and care costs and the amount depends on where you’re located.

You may be entitled to a contribution from your local authority or the NHS – at least two-thirds of residents in a Bupa care home receive some financial assistance. The contribution will depend on the value of your capital and income, and whether you live in England, Scotland or Wales.

The amount you are eligible for may also change over time. For example, your capital may drop below the upper capital limit or your care needs may change.

What are you eligible for?

The first step in finding out what is available to you is to get an assessment from your local social services. During the assessment, your needs and wishes will be discussed with you and a care plan will be produced that will recommend whether or not you should go into a care home and whether you require personal or nursing care.

Even if you don’t think you’re eligible, you may become eligible in the future and it’s important that the local authority agrees with you about the type of care you need, so it will be willing to contribute to the costs if you become eligible.

If you do need to move into a care home, social services will carry out a financial assessment to work out how much you will have to contribute to the costs. This is called the resident or client contribution.

Find out about funding limits in England, Scotland and Wales

What will you be paying for?

When considering a care home, it’s important to know exactly what you are paying for and what isn’t included in the fees.

Important questions to ask

  • What is covered by the fees (eg, accommodation, meals, personal care, laundry, bills etc)?
  • Are there any extra costs (eg, activities, chiropody, hairdressing)?
  • How often are the fees reviewed?
  • How much notice will you be given of any increase in fees?
  • How much notice do you have to give if you want to move to another home?
  • What charges are made if you go into hospital or on holiday?
  • Do you have to take out your own contents insurance?

Insurance policies

Immediate and long-term care insurance

Insurance for immediate care may be suitable if you’re considering moving into a care home. It involves paying a single lump sum at the time you decide you need care. The cost is based on how long the insurer thinks you’ll need care for and the level of care.

The payments are tax-free if they are made directly to a care home and are portable if you decide to move.

Long term care insurance is no longer widely available but if you already have one of these policies, it should still be honoured.

Private medical insurance

Private medical insurance is intended to cover you for medical or hospital costs, and is unlikely to cover long-term care costs. However, depending on your policy, it may include cover for a limited amount of convalescent care or home nursing, related to your medical needs.

Next steps

  • All figures correct at April 2009

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