If I need to go into a care home, will I have to pay?

Facing the possibility of moving into a care home due to dementia can bring up a lot of questions, especially about the costs involved. Let's take a closer look at what you might expect financially if you need to move into a care home.

What does a care home cost?

The costs of care homes can vary depending on several factors, such as where you live, the type of care you need, and the facilities provided by the care home. Here are some common expenses to consider:

• Residential care: this covers your accommodation, meals, and help with daily activities like bathing, dressing, and eating.

• Nursing care: if your dementia requires medical attention or specialist care, you might need nursing care. This can include services like medication management and assistance with complex health needs.

How much will I have to pay?

The amount you'll pay for care home fees depends on your financial situation. Here's how it typically works:

• Means testing: your local council will conduct a means test to assess your income, savings, and assets. Based on this assessment, they'll determine how much you can contribute towards your care home fees.

• Local authority funding: if your income and savings fall below a certain threshold, your local authority may help cover some or all of your care home fees.

• Self-funding: if you have savings or assets above the threshold, you may need to self-fund your care. This means you'll pay the full cost of your care home fees.

NHS support

In some cases, the NHS may provide financial support for individuals with complex health needs, including dementia:

• NHS Continuing Healthcare: this is a fully-funded package of care provided by the NHS for individuals with significant healthcare needs. If you qualify, the NHS will cover the full cost of your care home fees.

Planning ahead

Thinking about care home costs can be overwhelming, but it's essential to plan ahead:

• Financial planning: consider speaking with a financial advisor to understand your options for funding care home fees and protecting your assets.

• Legal planning: arrange legal documents like a lasting power of attorney to ensure your affairs are in order and decisions can be made on your behalf if needed.

Moving into a care home due to dementia is a significant decision, and understanding the associated costs is an important part of the process. While care home fees can be substantial, there is financial support available through means testing, local authority funding, and NHS schemes. By planning ahead and seeking advice, you can navigate the financial aspects of care home placement with greater confidence and peace of mind.

Source: NHS