Care costs are often a significant concern for families looking at the best ways to support the needs of their loved ones. Balancing the huge importance of safety, independence, companionship, practical care, and well-being against budgets is a complex and sensitive topic – but one we engage in routinely to educate and provide greater understanding about the flexibility of professional home care in the UK.
Here Guardian Angel Carers home care agency explains the average costs of different types of home care services, potential access to financial support, and why an experienced, approachable local care team is always the first port of call if you need advice or assistance.
Council Funding for Home Care
Let's start by discussing finances because there are common misunderstandings about the types of help you or your family might be entitled to. One of the key facts is that if you arrange a care needs assessment or are evaluated for funding from your local council, the care recipient's property is never at risk.
While councils will include the value of a property when deciding whether they can contribute toward the costs of living in a care home, this does not apply to home care. We often speak with loved ones deeply worried that applying for financial aid will potentially mean being forced to sell, but rest assured; this is not the case.
Means Testing for Home Care Funding Support
As a quick overview, the process of applying for funding to contribute towards the cost of home care normally works like this, appreciating that exact systems can differ between councils:
- First, the local authority will usually arrange a care needs assessment. This home visit involves looking at the person's health, welfare and needs to establish whether they have a genuine need for support to remain happy and independent at home.
- Next, they will conduct a means test which investigates the savings and income of the person to determine whether they have the finances to cover all of the costs.
- We'll explain the thresholds shortly, but if you are eligible for support, you are also not compelled to use a local authority care provision if you do not wish to. Care funding recipients have the freedom of choice and can opt to work with a private home care service, receiving their financial assistance through direct payments.
While most people or their families will need to cover some home care costs, benefits such as disability benefits and pensions are excluded from means testing. The Minimum Income Guarantee also means any individual of pensionable age must have an income of at least £189 per week after any contributions they are expected to make.
Normally, you will qualify for council funding if you have an income or savings of under £23,250. Those with an income or savings of less than £14,250 will receive the greatest financial support.
Benefits and Allowances to Consider
If you are arranging home care for yourself or a loved one, you should also ensure that all the appropriate benefits and allowances are being claimed since these can help with the costs of care in addition to any support you may be entitled to.
The Attendance Allowance is available to people above the State Pension age who require extra help to remain safe in their homes, often due to a disability or health condition. The Personal Independence Payment may be relevant to those in a similar position but who are not yet at the State Pension age.
Family caregivers organising respite care or visiting care to help them manage their relative's care may also be able to apply for a Carer's Allowance, which can also be a worthwhile additional income source.
Choosing the Right Home Care Services
Finances aside, it is also important to recognise the diverse types of home care services available since the right level of care and any specialist care you or your loved one require will influence the associated costs. For example, many of the Guardian Angel Carers branches deliver a comprehensive scope of care services to adapt to the needs of every person and family within the local area, such as:
- Visiting Care: arranged on a regular basis to meet the needs and preferences of the person.
- Respite Care: provides ongoing or ad hoc support to give family caregivers time to rest.
- Overnight Care: visiting care during the night to provide assurance and assistance.
- Live-In Care: ongoing care with a defined care pattern and working hours.
- Specialist Care: qualified support with long-term conditions like dementia and Alzheimer’s, post-hospital recuperation and recovery from healthcare events such as a stroke.
You might, for instance, organise visiting care for certain days of the week for a couple of hours as companionship care for an older person who lives alone and benefits from a friendly, warm relationship with a familiar carer. Alternatively, you may need personal care services to help with washing and dressing or domiciliary care to take care of domestic duties, cleaning and shopping.
If you need any guidance about which types of care services are most relevant to your needs or those of an elderly relative, please browse our more detailed care service explanations on the Guardian Angel Carers site or contact your local branch at any time.
Average Costs of UK Home Care
It is difficult to give an accurate list of home care costs since these vary considerably depending on the type of care you require, for how many days or hours per week, and the specifics of the service we provide. Our ethos is grounded in compassion, respect and person-first care, which means every individual and family is unique and no two care plans will be the same.
However, as a rough indication, the average costs of home care across the UK are around £30+ per hour in 2023 for quality home care services, which will continue to rise with living and employment costs.
Our dedicated care coordinators and branch managers can provide more specific information on request. We endeavour to offer flexibility at every stage to ensure you fully understand the most appropriate care structure and associated costs.
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About Guardian Angel Carers:
Guardian Angel Carers is a leading home care provider dedicated to delivering compassionate, personalised care services. With a strong focus on independence, dignity, and quality of life, the company supports individuals in the comfort of their own homes, offering a range of services from companionship to complex care needs.
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Source Company – https://www.gacarers.co.uk/
