The vast majority of elderly people now have to contribute towards the cost of their care. Following a needs assessment and financial assessment by the local authority, your loved one may be entitled to some financial support. However, this isn’t the case for everyone.
Currently, when your elderly relative has assets over £23,250, they will need to self-fund their care. These assets include their earnings, pensions and any savings. When receiving a financial assessment for home care, the value of your loved one’s home won’t be taken into consideration. In 2025, this threshold is increasing to £100,000 and more people will receive financial support to help them pay for their home care services.
If they won’t receive any financial assistance, lots of people can be put off private care services. There are a lot of misconceptions surrounding self-funded care services that can lead to hesitation, confusion and concerns when arranging home care services. If you’re been considering private elderly care at home but you’re worried about some of the things you’ve heard, below we have looked into some of the most common misconceptions we come across.
Private Elderly Care is Only For Rich People
One of the misconceptions we hear most frequently is that private care is only for wealthy people and it’s unaffordable for everyone else. Whilst some elderly care services can be expensive, at Beloved Homecare we pride ourselves on keeping our prices competitive. Home care services are charged on the premise of time, so depending on the frequency and duration of visits, professional care could be more affordable than you think. You shouldn’t discount private elderly care until you’ve spoken to an agency about predicted costs.
Private Care Agencies Lack Personal Attention
Private care is sometimes seen as a standardised, one-size-fits-all approach to elderly care. However, home care services are designed to provide personalised care. A bespoke care plan is created for every client to meet their unique needs and preferences. The Beloved Homecare team will work closely with you to develop a care solution that works for the whole family, ensuring your loved one gets the support they need and deserve. Our person-centred approach to care will help your elderly relative maintain a high standard of living.
Families Aren’t Involved in Home Care
Another common misconception is that private care agencies discourage family involvement. This definitely isn’t the case. The best home care providers will recognise the importance of family involvement in a care journey. At Beloved Homecare, we actively encourage family members to participate in care planning and decision-making, and we maintain transparency at all times. We pride ourselves on being approachable and with regular communication, we will ensure that you never feel left in the dark.
We can even support your elderly loved one at family events. Our care team will enable them to visit family and friends, and maintain strong bonds. As a family-run business, we know just how important it is for our clients to be able to see their loved ones.
Private Carers Don’t Have Proper Training
Some people assume that private home carers don’t have the same expertise as those working in residential care homes. However, care agencies will ensure their teams are fully trained to provide high-quality care services. Whether your elderly relative requires some simple help with household chores or support with medication management, our care team at Beloved Homecare has the skills and knowledge required to assist them. We frequently collaborate with other medical professionals to ensure our clients are receiving the highest standard of care too.
Private Care Services are Isolating
There is a big misconception that private care services isolate elderly people from their social connections and prevent them from interacting with others. On the contrary, care agencies recognise the importance of socialisation for the mental well-being of clients. At Beloved Homecare, we can help your loved one to attend different events and groups, and we will encourage them to maintain their social life. We can even suggest different things to do in the local area to boost social interactions in later life.
Home Care Means Loss of Independence
It isn’t uncommon for people to think that arranging professional care services takes away an individual’s independence and control over their daily life. Yet home care is designed to empower elderly people to maintain their independence as much as possible. Care plans are developed in collaboration with clients, taking their current abilities and preferences into account. Our team at Beloved Homecare won’t provide more care than is required and they will enable clients to continue making their own decisions.
Find Out More About Private Elderly Care in Hale
Hopefully, the information above will put your mind at ease if you’re worried about arranging professional care for an elderly loved one. Should you have any questions about care services, needs assessments or financial assessments, don’t hesitate to contact us at Beloved Homecare, we’re always happy to help.
With many years of experience, we can help you to care for a loved one in their later years and we are known for providing the highest standard of elderly care in Hale. Your elderly relative will be in very good hands with our team.