A simple question I know, but one that you might like to consider asking yourself if you, or a relative, are having to pay care fees.
Paying for care is a worry and concern for us all as we get older, we hope we don’t have to do so, but we know deep down that this is a cost that many of us will have to bear. We have all seen the reams and reams of words written over recent years about the Government’s plans to cap the cost of care fees, and indeed legislation on this subject is planned for next year – whilst this may well help (although I’m yet to be convinced) those who may have to face paying for care in the future, it certainly does not help those that are faced with having to pay for it now.
The cost of care is something that you have little control over if you have to fund it yourself, and recent years have seen some care fees rise by well above the rate of inflation. Care fees typically average around £730 per week if nursing care is needed, and they are typically split into two elements – what is called the accommodation costs and then the care costs.
Every resident of a care home should have a fully completed care plan – it is this plan that details the level and type of care that is needed. It is important to review this on a regular basis and to ensure that it is up to date, as it is this plan that will form the basis for calculating your care costs. If your care plan changes, and in particular if the level of care you need reduces then ask the question – should my care costs also change? In most cases the answer to this could well be yes!
