Cost Of Care ‘Misunderstood By Many’

Most people are unaware of the funding that they may or may not be entitled to in order to pay for a care home and social care when they are elderly, an expert claims.

Research by Saga shows that the average price for staying in a care home for four years could double from £112,312 to £223,476 over the next two decades.

Now Counsel and Care has highlighted the fact that most people do not realise that social care support is means tested, so older people need to be aware of exactly what assets they own.

Anna Maloney, policy and information officer for Counsel and Care, said: “There is limited funding available and it’s subject to a means test. If you have over £21,500 you will be what is called a self-funder, and you have to pay for the cost of a care home yourself.

“If you are a self-funder you are entitled to retain an attendance allowance, usually at the higher rate, but it’s a very limited amount per week, about £62. It’s a drop in the ocean in terms of the cost of care homes at the moment.

“You are also entitled to have £101 towards the nursing element of your care, funded by the NHS, but that goes straight from the NHS to the care home and often self-funders find their care is still just as expensive.”

She added: “If you have under £21,500 you are eligible for some state funding for the cost of your care, but it’s up to what the council call their standard rate. All this is on the basis that you’re eligible for care from the council.

“Most people aren’t aware of this. The vast majority of people think that social care support isn’t means tested, that it’s done in the same way as the NHS. There’s a lot of confusion about what is available and what people are entitled to.”

Ms Maloney says that Counsel and Care wants the means-testing threshold to be raised to nearer £40,000.