The cost of elderly care features regularly in some of the questions we’re asked by family members. For some, it’s a source of confusion as care within the NHS is free at the point of access. However, Social Care is separate and is rarely free with either the individual or local council responsible for paying the associated costs.

Most home care costs are calculated on the premise of time. Some home care providers only provide care in blocks of 1-hour visits, other 30 minutes and some 15 minutes.

The time should be agreed upon between the care provider and individual to suit the individual’s needs. This usually follows a risk and environmental assessment. An hour of care can be between £20 & £70 per hour. The cost of care can change regionally throughout the UK. Prices can vary at weekends and bank holidays as some companies may choose to charge slightly more on these days.

Understanding the options to funding your social care support can be time consuming complicated and daunting. Depending on your own circumstances you may need undertake an assessment.

Most people now must contribute towards the cost of their care. A financial assessment can be carried out by the local authority if it has been agreed that you or a loved one has eligible needs for care.

The financial assessment will consider your income and savings, excluding the value of your house unless it is residential care you are considering. Other types of income, including disability benefits, are not usually included in the assessment.

There are certain thresholds that the individual must meet to be entitled to financial support.

1. Over £23,250 -The full costs of care fees must be paid by the individual. The individual is regarded to be self-funding.
2. Between £14,250 & £23,250 – The local council will fund part of the care costs with the rest coming from the individual.
3. Below £14,250 – These funds will be ignored, and the local authority will pay 100% of the care costs.

If you or a loved one is qualified to be a self-funder and your capital decreases past £23,250, you can request a reassessment whereby the council may assist with funding.

You may be eligible to receive help with funding your care from your Local Council or Integrated Care Board (ICB). You have the legal right to request a free care assessment from your local Social Services department. This can include a community care assessment and a means-tested financial assessment to see if you are eligible to receive support with the cost of your care.

You are entitled to seek advice on the best way to get care from your social services department. This is always the case even if you are not eligible for financial help from the council and you must pay for your own care.

If you are eligible for some or all state funded support. Every local council must offer money directly to you for you to buy services (direct payments) instead of arranging services for you.

All councils must also offer direct payments to all people, including those who lack mental capacity, which means that you may be able to help a relative by receiving and managing a direct payment on his or her behalf.

Don’t worry about having to manage money or complete forms, we can organise all this for you through our direct payment arrangement services.

Depending on your personal financial position you may not be eligible for funding from your local council. Therefore, you may be required to fund part or all the cost of care yourself. This may be from an income, pension or savings. There are other allowances which may be available to help fund your care if you are over 65 - Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance and Personal Independence Payment. Depending in the level of care you need, different allowances apply.

From the very start, we’ll give you a clear picture of how much care will cost which will be confirmed once we put a plan of care in place to suit your requirements. Once your care begins, we will send bills every 4 weeks. You can pay the way which most suits you, cash, cheque or bank transfer.