Care funding
Paying for care: where to start.
Care funding is personal and can change. This guide helps families prepare the right questions; it is not financial or legal advice.
Start with the practical picture.
Ask the home for its current fee information, what is included, how needs may affect fees and what assessment is required. You may also need to speak with the local authority, NHS or an independent regulated adviser depending on circumstances.
Understand the assessments.
A care-needs assessment looks at the help a person may need. A separate financial assessment considers whether the council may contribute to care costs. The two processes answer different questions, so it is sensible to ask who is leading each one and what information they need.
Useful questions to take with you
What support is needed now? Is funding private, local-authority, NHS or still uncertain? How would a change in needs affect the fees? Are there property, benefits or lasting-power-of-attorney questions that need independent advice?
For current national guidance, see NHS guidance on council funding, NHS continuing healthcare and Age UK’s guide to paying for a care home.
Start a conversation
Discuss current fee information.
The relevant home can explain its current fees and assessment process.