Many thousands will not benefit says key adviser

The Health Secretary recently announced Government’s new measures to cap funding of care at £75,000 from 2017 to ensure that the elderly and those with disabilities get the care they need without facing unlimited costs.

One of the region’s only Society of Later Life Advisers (SOLLA), Dave Robinson, from regional accountancy firm Albert Goodman, welcomes these amendments, considering it a step in the right direction, but is warning against hidden catches.

Many thousands will not benefit

The changes to social care funding show the Government is making efforts to support the public at face value.

However, many thousands will not benefit.

Currently, the Government will contribute to care fees when accessible capital is below £23,250 and will pay the full bill if this is less than £14,250.

2007 cap

The cap comes into place in 2017, when individuals who have more than £123,000 in accessible capital and have spent more than £75,000 on personal care costs.

It is important to note that food and lodging costs – so-called hotel costs – are not included in this cap and the costs will not be backdated, therefore, financial support may not be given for many years.

The rate at which costs are accrued towards the threshold will be based upon the Local Authority Rate and this averages at around £27,872 per annum.

BUPA findings

Government will assume hotel costs average £12,000 per year, therefore £15,872 will be put towards the cap. Meaning, on average, the cap will not benefit individuals until they have been in care for more than four and a half years.

Findings from a recent BUPA report suggest the average stay in a care home is 801 days, therefore when compared to the average input from the local authorities, the individual is likely to have passed away before the Government provides financial support.

Sunday Times report

Similarly, the Sunday Times recently published that the Government only expects to support 16 per cent of individuals paying for personal care.

The change does provide piece of mind for those going into care and strongly highlights the need to carefully consider all the options to ensure financial security later in life.

There is a lot of help and advice available and families should investigate all options before making important financial decisions.