Financial and Elderly Care Assessments

Care Assessment
As a nation, we are all expected to live longer and the sad fact of life is that with longevity it is highly likely that many of us will require some form of our later years. When the time comes you can request an assessment of your care needs or for an elderly relative for which you are acting as an attorney.

Your care assessment will be carried out by a Social Worker or care professional and would normally be carried out within the comfort of your own home. It is best if a close relative or friend is in attendance to offer you support.

Following your assessment your local authority will provide a report recommending the type of home care or residential care that is required.

 Who pays for recommended care?

The next stage in the process is to establish who will pay for the care. Should your assets fall below the lower level for means testing of $14,250 it is likely that your care costs will be covered in full by the local authority. If your assets are above the upper mean testing limit of $23,250, you will be funding for your own care needs. For those with assets between these two figures, there will be some assistance from the state but you will be assessed as having $1.00 of extra income for every $250 over the lower limit.

If the primary need for you to receive care is deemed to be for medical reasons and nursing care then you could qualify for Continuing Healthcare which is fully funded health care provided free by the NHS.

Should you require assistance during the day, through the night or both night and day you can claim for Attendance Allowance which is a benefit payable to help with personal care. Depending on your level of need this benefit can be a lower rate of $51.85 the higher rate of $77.45 per week. This benefit is not means tested.

For advice on your long term care requirements, speak to a SOLLA accredited long term care adviser today.