Can You Get Help with Care Home Costs?

The transition to residential living should be a reassuring and exciting stage in a person’s life. If you are considering moving into a care home, it's important to be as informed and prepared as possible. This includes being aware of care home costs, and what assistance is available.

Care home fees can differ according to factors such as the quality and level of care provided, the size of the residence and facilities on offer. Depending on your needs and finances, you may be eligible for NHS or council-funded help with care home costs.

In this guide, we'll explore the average cost of care homes and explain who pays for care homes in the UK. We’ll also discuss what financial help you may be eligible to, and how to apply.

How Much Do Care Homes Cost?

Most care homes in the UK are privately owned. Because of this, the cost of care homes can vary significantly – some are more expensive than others. Care home fees may depend upon:

• The home's location
• The type of care offered (residential vs. nursing)
• The size and quality of the home
• Whether rooms are furnished or unfurnished
• The facilities and services on offer
• The ratio of carers to residents
• The quality of care being provided

You can usually find out how much a care home costs by requesting a brochure. Alternatively, you can call or email the residence to enquire directly.

What Is Included in Care Home Fees?

Generally, residential home fees cover accommodation, utilities, laundry services, meals, and 24-hour personal care support from on-site carers. Nursing home fees will also include the cost of clinical and medical care provided by qualified nurses.

Many residences also include entertainment, outings, educational programmes and other life-enriching activities as part of the fees. However, some care homes may charge extra for additional services. Before choosing a care home, always ask for a full breakdown of what the fees include.

Who Pays for a Care Home?

In the UK, around half of all care home residents pay for their own care. Others receive full or partial funding from the NHS or their local council.

Paying for your own care, or self-funding, gives you the freedom to choose your own care home. You should visit a variety of residences and ask plenty of questions prior to making a decision. You can then make your selection based on factors such as the quality of care and life enrichment on offer.

If you qualify for funding, your local authority will provide a list of residences for you to choose from. However, you have the right to select a different home, provided:

• There is a place available
• The home is able to meet your assessed needs
• The home is willing to enter into a contract with your local council

If the home you choose costs more than the funding you receive, you would be required to pay the difference. This is called a top-up fee.

Are Next of Kin Responsible for Care Home Fees?

Sometimes, residents' family members (such as their children) choose to “top up” or contribute to their loved one's care. However, this is not a legal obligation. Your next of kin will never be required to pay for your care home fees.

Instead, you may be able to apply for financial help from the NHS or your local council. How much funding you receive will depend upon your care needs (and, in some cases, the value of your savings and assets).

Can the NHS Help with Care Home Fees?

There are two main ways in which the NHS may help with care home costs. Depending on your needs, you may be eligible for NHS continuing healthcare or NHS-funded nursing care.

NHS Continuing Healthcare

The NHS continuing healthcare scheme is designed to fund the cost of social care for people with long-term, complex health needs. To apply, a team of healthcare professionals will assess your significant care requirements (e.g. nutrition, mobility and breathing).

Any adult with at least one "priority need" or two "severe needs” will usually be eligible for funding. A care package will then be devised to decide how best to support you. If a care home is found to be the best option, the scheme will cover your care home fees in full.

NHS-Funded Nursing Care

The NHS-funded nursing care scheme is designed specifically to help with the cost of nursing home fees. You may be eligible if you have been assessed as requiring nursing care, but you do not receive NHS continuing healthcare funding.

NHS-funded nursing care will not cover the entire cost of living in a care home. However, it will pay for the nursing component of the fees. This is currently set at a rate of £187.60 per week and is paid directly to the home.

How Much Will the Council Pay Towards Care Home Fees?

If you are not eligible for NHS funding, you can apply to your local authority for help with care home costs. They will carry out two assessments:

• A needs assessment, designed to determine your physical, mental and social care needs, and what kind of support you require.
• A financial assessment to examine your income, savings and assets. This will establish how much you can afford to pay towards your care.

The savings threshold for care home fees is £23,350. If you have less than this, the council will contribute to the cost of your care, either at a care home or your own home. This may be paid directly to you, to the care home, or a combination. Find your local council on the gov.uk website to begin your application.

Discover KYN Residences

Our KYN Bickley care home is proud to offer the highest standards of nursing and residential care in London and the South East.

Using a holistic approach, we get to know each resident personally, taking into account their physical, emotional and spiritual needs. Along with fully individualised care, our residents enjoy delicious, Michelin-star inspired meals and a varied programme of life-enriching activities.

To discover more about our beautiful residences, contact KYN today. Fill in our enquiry form or call +44 (0) 20 3535 1923 to request a visit or brochure. You can also email us at enquiries@kyn.co.uk.