Understanding Home Care Costs
Homecare Cost Whilst no one wants their loved one’s care levels to be decided on cost and financial factors, in reality, most people need to at least consider them. Care home costs and home care costs aren’t always the easiest figures to work out, and they are determined by, and include, a lot of different elements. At Abacus Care & Support (Abacus), we’re committed to keeping our pricing packages as clear and transparent as possible. Here we explain the basics of how care fees work. Funded Care If you or your loved one needs care services, you can apply to your local council for a Care Needs Assessment. This process will assess the need for support and how best to maintain a decent level of independence and quality of life. For some people, this will mean accessing 24/7 care in a care home facility, but for others, home care is more appropriate. Alongside the support assessment, a means test will be carried out. This takes into account the income and savings accessible by the person in question, but not the value of their home (unless they’re being accommodated in a care home). The means test calculates the payable amount for care and support in the home dependent on affordability for the individual. Excluding certain disability benefits and allowances, and the value of their home, the banding for homecare costs is set as follows: Total capital over £23,250 – the person must pay full homecare cost fees (known as ‘self-funding’) Between £14,250 – £23,250 – the person must part-fund their homecare costs and the local council will fund the rest Less than £14,250 – the local council will fund all homecare costs. Exactly what is included in the eligible income and capital for funded care calculations can be clarified by your local council upon application. For many local authorities, homecare costs are preferable to care home fees – as they’re considerably cheaper, ‘on-demand’ costs only, and allow for more of their residents to live independent lives. Those who choose to stay at home and receive home care rather than entering a care home may be eligible for Attendance Allowance, a benefit to help those with illness or disability maintain independence. Attendance Allowance does not means-tested, so income and savings won’t affect eligibility. Self-funding Homecare Costs The exact cost of home care varies between providers and is often dependent on the level of homecare provided. Abacus looks after our Care staff in many different ways, one of which is by paying our staff the National, and London, Living Wage, respectively, based on the location of the care being provided. The UK Homecare Association in 2020 calculated that the National Minimum Price for Homecare should start from £20.69 per hour. However, this can be more dependent on location, and should specialist medical or personal care be required, or if more than one carer is required to attend. At Abacus Care & Support, we tailor our payment packages to individuals to best suit their needs; because we know that everyone is different. We remain transparent on our costs, so you’ll never be charged a fee or admin cost without knowing about it upfront. Our homecare costs reflect the exemplary quality of care you can expect to receive but are fair and competitive. We accept both direct payments from self-funding service users and funded places from councils and relevant support bodies. For information about Abacus Care & Supports’ domiciliary care (Home Care) services please call us on 07934498020/ 02071001680, or email us at enquiries@abacuscaresupport.co.uk.
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