How Much Do Care Homes Cost?
The need for care homes in the UK is continuing to rise as the average life expectancy increases, however, the average care home cost is also increasing. Due to the high fees, many families are unsure if their loved ones can afford to pay the fees or if there are ways they can get additional financial support.
Within this blog, we dig into the average costs of care home fees in the UK, what's included in the fees and what kind of financial help is out there.
Care Home Fees
In the UK, all care homes prepare their fees differently as it depends on many factors such as what type of care is required by someone, and what kind of activities and facilities are offered at the home, therefore the fees will vary. Many will offer a flat fee that is paid on a weekly basis and others may do a pay-as-you-go structure.
Some care homes will only cover the basic care services in their fees and charge additionally for things such as additional medical services, hair services and trips out of the home.
Average Cost of Care Homes In The UK
Carehome.co.uk recently carried out research and found that the average care home fees range between £27,000 to £39,000 per annum and it's important to note that this cost is based on someone receiving residential care only. A type of specialist care such as nursing care or dementia care will be more expensive.
Location will also likely play a part in how much a care home will cost. Homes in the South of England, especially London, will cost more than compared to care homes in the North of England. Each care home is different so it is important to compare the fees, care services and facilities before making a decision.
Residential Care Costs
When moving someone into a residential care home, your costs will cover accommodation, meals and personal care and often social activities. Residential care is the best care option for individuals that need additional support with daily living such as getting dressed, washing and moving around, or for those who struggle to maintain a household on their own.
Nursing Care Costs
A nursing home tends to be more expensive compared to residential care due to the care provided being more specialist provided by nurses on-site. This overall cost will include accommodation, meals, as well as personal care in addition to medical care costs. A resident that requires nursing care will often require more complex care such as medical care regularly, hence why the fees are more expensive in a nursing home or in a care home that offers nursing care.
Dementia Care Costs
This care type is provided to individuals specifically living with dementia. There are currently just under 1 million people living with dementia in the UK and this is expected rapidly rise in the upcoming years. It's evident that dementia care is a popular care need and therefore is usually more expensive than residential care as it requires staff to be trained in dementia care in order to provide specialist care for people living with the condition.
Some family members will initially search for respite care for their loved one while they try to acquire a break from their care duties for a few weeks. If temporary care is required such as respite care, this can cost a minimum of £100 more a week as it's short-term care. If a family is seeking long-term dementia care for their loved one then the weekly fee will cost less than respite care but this care will usually go on for a year or two so in the long run it will cost more.
What's Included In Care Home Fees
The cost of living in a care home will vary slightly depending on the care home location, its care services and what else they offer its residents. Usually, these fees will cover accommodation and meals, as well as personal care needs and activities.
Some care homes will charge for additional services, so it is really important that you check with the care home manager and compare them against other care homes. Some care homes provide an all-inclusive way of living which means all services, facilities and activities will be covered in the weekly fees, so no hidden costs.
What Are All-Inclusive Care Home
Living in an all-inclusive care home is becoming increasingly popular due to the standard rate and what that means for residents. Despite being a more expensive care home, care recipients tend to prefer this option due to the convenience it provides for residents as they can utilise all that is offered to them in the home without having to worry about unexpected costs for additional services.
Not having to deal with unexpected charges can be reassuring for an individual, especially with the current cost of living crisis continuing to skyrocket. Choosing to live in an all-inclusive care home means a resident gets all of the care, support, food and amenities they need daily while not having to worry about the ongoing rise of household bills at home.
Each all-inclusive care home differs so they will offer different levels of care, activities and facilities all under one roof. You might find a certain care home isn't appropriate as they don’t offer the right level of care, so it is very important to compare a range of care homes in your desired location.
Who Needs to Pay For Care?
Care home and nursing home fees tend to be paid by the person receiving the care. However, not everyone is in a position to do this. People that cannot afford to pay care home fees can request financial aid through their local authority or the NHS. To qualify for this support, a financial assessment of a person's income and assets is carried out.
If you are able to pay for the care yourself or your family members can support you, it's recommended to speak to a financial advisor to ensure you understand whether you can afford the care long-term and what options are available.
Financial Help To Cover Care Costs
Depending on a person's circumstances, they may be eligible for financial help. If this is the case, the first option would be to apply for funding from the local council. This is when a financial assessment is done by your local council which works out an individual's assets and whether their income falls above or below a certain threshold. If someone is accepted, the local authority will contribute towards the costs of their care by providing a 'personal budget'.
If someone requires a significant amount of care or has a 'primary health need', they may be eligible for Complex Clinical Care funding. To qualify for Complex Clinical Care, individuals will have to have significant mental and or physical needs and an assessment will be carried out by a multidisciplinary team (MDT). This assessment is not means tested and is solely based on a person's care needs.
If you do not qualify for either the local authority or Complex Clinical Care funding, you can apply for a deferred payment agreement. This is when the local authority will loan you the costs for your care and once the individual sells their assets usually their home they will pay it back to the local authority. It's important to note that there is often interest added to the cost.
Financial help isn't always guaranteed and some care homes do not accept funding support. Before visiting a care home, it is important to ask if they accept financial support first before taking things further.
Local Authority Funding
Local authority funding is when the local council provides financial support for care home or nursing home fees if a person is unable to pay for it themselves. To qualify for this specific funding, you are required to have a means test, which is a financial assessment based on a person's assets and income.
If someone is deemed eligible for such funding, the local authority will provide a specific amount each week which may or may not be enough to cover all care home fees. Depending on an individual's health needs they may increase the person's budget, so ultimately it will differ from person to person.
If you receive local authority-funded care, it is important to note that the council will only pay for the basic care costs such as accommodation, meals and personal care. Additional services or amenities, such as transport, social activities or personal items may have to be paid by the individual or a family member, known as a 'top up' fee.
NHS Funding Support
Depending on a person's complexity of health needs, they may be able to acquire Complex Clinical Care. The NHS will cover the costs of a nursing home or care home and any other healthcare-related expenses and only accommodation costs if a person doesn't have sufficient savings or a pension.
An assessment will take place by a team of medical professionals to see if a person qualifies for this kind of funding. The assessment will look into an individual's daily care needs and assess the characteristics of a person's health including its intensity, complexity and unpredictability. Those with a severe disability, a long-term health condition or a terminal illness or more likely to be deemed eligible.
Self-Funded Care Home Costs
You are considered a self-funder if you pay for care home fees yourself as you are considered someone who doesn't require financial help. This means that you are fully responsible for the costs of your care.
As mentioned previously, care home fees can vary depending on the size of the home, its location and the care and amenities it provides. Moving into a care home is a major financial commitment so you need to carefully consider all the costs you may end up paying.
Manor Grange Care Home
Our care home in Edinburgh provides private accommodation for 83 residents and provides residents with exceptional care and a fulfilling lifestyle. Our residents can expect to live a life of luxury when staying at our all-inclusive home, with 24-hour care and support from our knowledgeable and experienced staff.
Our team goes above and beyond to provide the highest standard of care for Residential, Dementia, Nursing and Respite care needs. Our care teams ensure to put the health and safety of our residents first and provide an outstanding care service to all through a person-centred care approach.
We want all of our residents to make the most of daily life with the help of the fantastic facilities which include a cinema room, landscaped garden that backs onto a golf course, hair salon and activities programme which enable residents to fill their days with leisurely activities. All facilities and services are included in our weekly fees as we adopt an all-inclusive way of living here at Manor Grange.
Find Out More About Our Care Home in Edinburgh
If you have any questions regarding our care services or the cost of our care at Manor Grange Care Home, get in touch with our team today by emailing info@manorgrangecare.co.uk or by calling 0131 334 6462.
