Care Fee Planning

What's the problem with care?

Care in England & Wales is an extremely expensive concern for many of us. Nobody wishes they spend a day in care, but in recent years statistics have shown that more and more of us are likely to spend meaningful portions of our lives in care. Below, we explore the concerns and solutions.

Care Fees | The numbers

The number of people needing some form of care in later life.

1 in 3 people

The average weekly charge for care

£1,400

The average rise in care home fees since 2018 in England*

+30%*

The means testing threshold for local authorities to deem your care chargeable

£23,250

The means testing threshold for local authorities to deem your care chargeable

£23,250

How does care fee funding work?

In the event that someone needs care, the local authority are obliged to arrange for you to be placed within a suitable venue for the care to be given. If an individual possesses more than £23,250 worth of valuables, cash or assets, they are deemed able to contribute to the cost of their care. You will then either pay from savings, or foot the bill from the sale of assets such as your home.

Local authorities will conduct a means testing assessment prior to placement in a care venue. Unless you have proper planning in place, all of your assets are included.

Care Fee FAQ's

If I need care, will I have to sell my home?

If no prior planning has been undertaken, it's extremely likely that a home would be sold to contribute towards the cost of care. There are mitigations depending on who is still living in the home at the time.

If I have to sell my home, what do my children get?

Unfortunately, they will only inherit whatever is left of the estate. Care costs are transferred back to the local authority once assets fall below the threshold £23,250.

Can my partner be forced from the home to pay care fees?

No, there is an exemption for homes where a partner or relative over a certain age is living in the property. However, they will ask for savings and other assets to fund the care.

If I need care, will I have to sell my home?

If I have to sell my home, what do my children get?

Unfortunately, they will only inherit whatever is left of the estate. Care costs are transferred back to the local authority once assets fall below the threshold £23,250.

Can my partner be forced from the home?

No, there is an exemption for homes where a partner or relative over a certain age is living in the property. However, they will ask for savings and other assets to fund the care.

Why is care such a problem?

The reasons behind the care epidemic.

Alzhiemer's rates continue to rise as people live longer lives. More care is required as a result.
Care worker shortages are now more apparent than ever with 100,000 vacancies in the UK
Long tabled reform to the care sector has been scrapped in the most recent budget by the chancellor.
The UK sees some of the most expensive energy and food bills worldwide, costs are passed onto patients in care.
New business rate rises impact the care sector as they do many other businesses. These costs are passed onto the patients.
The likelihood of living with multiple medical conditions has risen steadily. 66% of people over 80 live with multiple conditions

Alzhiemer's rates continue to rise as people live longer lives. More care is required as a result.
Care worker shortages are now more apparent than ever with 100,000 vacancies in the UK
Long tabled reform to the care sector has been scrapped in the most recent budget by the chancellor.
The UK sees some of the most expensive energy and food bills worldwide, costs are passed onto patients in care.
New business rate rises impact the care sector as they do many other businesses. These costs are passed onto the patients.
The likelihood of living with multiple medical conditions has risen steadily. 66% of people over 80 live with multiple conditions