Posts tagged “Care fees”

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What will the Health and Social Care Bill mean for older people?

Posted on 7th December 2021

Living costs aren't included in the government's cap on how much people will need to pay on their care costs

The Health and Care Bill was passed in the House of Commons on 22 November. It was then reviewed in detail by the House of Lords but several stages must still be completed before it receives Royal Assent, which is expected to be in April 2022.

Understanding the care home fees cap

Posted on 30th September 2021

In 2014 the Care Act introduced a ‘care cap’ of £72,000 on the total you would be liable to pay for your care costs. It came in to effect in April 2020.

However, most people will have to spend much more before the cap is reached; often over £140,000.

Supporting relatives in care homes

Posted on 30th September 2020

During the coronavirus pandemic we have seen some upsetting examples of how elderly people have felt lost and abandoned when their families are unable to visit them in their care home.

This has been an exceptional time. In most cases your loved ones will be happy and well looked after in their care home, but it isn’t surprising that many families wanted to bring their relatives home during the outbreak.

Do you want to provide for a vulnerable relative?

Posted on 3rd June 2020

Family members, most frequently parents, worry about how to provide for a relative who is, or who could become, vulnerable.

Who is vulnerable?

Of course, we could all become vulnerable at some point in our lives due to accident, illness, or changes in our circumstances.

However, more generally someone could be described as vulnerable if they:

aren’t educationally or emotionally mature for their age

don’t understand how to manage their finances

depend on ‘means tested’ benefits for their day to day needs because they are unable to work, for example.

Millions or UK pensioners are unprepared for social care costs

Posted on 16th July 2019

The Association of British Insurers (ABI) says that nine out of 10 UK pensioners have not planned for future social care costs.

According to a new report produced by the ABI, millions might have to sell their homes or use their savings to cover the costs of their care, which could mean very little remains to leave to their families.

Why you shouldn’t sell your house to your children

Posted on 31st May 2019

Selling your house to your children for less than it’s worth isn't helpful for tax or care fee planning.

Here are some of the reasons why.

Are there risks if I help my children to buy a home?

Posted on 26th March 2019

The answer could be ‘yes’.

Many people are unaware that local Councils can investigate your finances if they think your cash and other assets have been deliberately reduced to avoid paying for your care.

The average cost of a care home in 2017 to18 was £750 a week. With the average length of a stay being around 30 months, a typical bill could be £90,000.

If Councils believe that someone has deliberately given away assets to avoid paying for their care, they can use ‘deliberate deprivation of assets’ rules to claw back the cost of care.