Paying for Care: Your Questions Answered
Photo taken at Chichester Hall
Most families don't sit down to plan care home funding. The question of how to fund care arrives suddenly, often after a fall, a hospital stay or a difficult diagnosis, when there's already a lot to take in. If that's where you are now, you're not alone, and you don't need to have all the answers today.
We’ve explained below the main ways care is paid for in England, and where to find trusted, independent help with your own situation.
The three main routes
Care home fees are usually paid privately, with support from the local council, or by the NHS. Some families use a mix of these.
Paying privately
If you pay for care yourself, you'll usually use savings, pensions, investments or money from selling a property. This is known as self-funding. It gives you a free choice of home and room.
We'll always be open about our fees, what's included and how they may change over time. That way you know exactly what you're choosing.
Photo taken at Marple Lodge
Help from the local council
Your council may contribute towards care fees. It will carry out two assessments first:
a care needs assessment, to understand what support is needed
a financial assessment, which looks at your capital (savings, investments and usually property) and, separately, your income
In England, if your capital is above £23,250 then you'll normally pay for your care yourself. Between £14,250 and £23,250 the council may help with part of the cost. Below £14,250 you'll contribute from your income only.
Your home isn't always counted, for example if a partner or certain relatives still live there. These figures are reviewed each year, so please check the latest on gov.uk or with your council.
Council funding covers social care rather than medical care. If a council's rate doesn't meet the full fee for a particular home, a family member can sometimes pay the difference. This is known as a top-up.
NHS funding
Some people with complex health needs qualify for NHS Continuing Healthcare, which can cover care fees in full. This depends on health needs, not finances, and is decided by an NHS assessment. Your GP, hospital team or social worker can tell you whether it's worth being assessed.
If someone lives in a nursing home and doesn't qualify for Continuing Healthcare, the NHS may still pay a contribution towards their nursing care. This is known as NHS-funded nursing care.
A few things families tell us they wish they'd known
Start conversations as early as possible, because being assessed takes time.
An independent financial adviser who specialises in later life care can make a real difference. The Society of Later Life Advisers (SOLLA) lists accredited advisers.
Age UK has a lot of good detail on its website and your local council's adult social care team are good places to start.
Cost is important, but how a place feels when you are there does too.
Photo taken at Delaheys
How we can help
We're not financial advisers, but we're very happy to talk. We can explain our fees clearly, answer your questions about life in our homes, and point you towards the people best placed to help with funding. And when you're ready, you're always welcome to come and visit.
Get in touch with the team here.
This page is for general information only and is not financial or legal advice. Curo Care Collective is not authorised to give financial advice. Please seek independent, professional advice before making decisions about paying for care.