With the rising cost of living on everyone’s minds at the moment, when arranging care services for an elderly loved one, the cost will understandably be a consideration. The majority of people have to pay for or at least contribute towards the cost of their care these days and this additional expense can be very concerning for families during this tough economic time.
Although some care services may seem unaffordable, it goes without saying that you won’t want to compromise on the quality of care by choosing a cheaper care service and finding a solution that is both affordable and person-centred is very important. Thankfully, home care services are both of these things and when you arrange home care for a loved one, they can continue living within the comfort of their own home, but they will have the support they need.
It’s a huge misconception that home care isn’t budget-friendly and for lots of people, it’s actually a more cost-effective alternative to residential care homes. Below we have answered some of the questions we’re most commonly asked about the cost of in-home care for the elderly.
How much does home care cost?
Home care costs are calculated based on time. Typically, home care agencies will provide 1-hour visits and these will cost anywhere from £20 to £40 depending on the type of care being provided. Some home care providers will also offer shorter 30-minute and 15-minute visits too if required, and these will be less expensive. Sometimes, you will need to pay slightly more if care is required at the weekend or on a bank holiday.
Ultimately, home care costs will vary from person to person as the more care and support someone needs, the more they will have to pay for care services.
What makes home care affordable?
Since home care is calculated on the premise of time, you won’t be charged a standard fixed fee, which is usually the case for residential care homes. Often, care homes charge somewhere between £750 and £2,000 per week, and although this includes the room, food and drink, personal care and access to on-site amenities, for many elderly people it is much more expensive than home care services would be.
When you first start working with a home care agency, they will conduct a care assessment to determine how much care and support is required. A care plan can then be created for your loved one to ensure they’re receiving the right care services and the correct number of hours of care per week. Depending on how much your elderly loved one is struggling with day-to-day tasks, they may only need a carer to visit them an hour a day, for example, and therefore, their care would cost much less than moving into a residential care home.
One of the many benefits of home care services is that you will only have to pay for the amount of care and support that your loved one really needs. You won’t be paying hundreds of pounds for 24/7 care when they’re still coping well in their own home and only require occasional support from a carer. Of course, your elderly loved one will be able to stay in the comfort of their own home surrounded by all of their belongings too and this is beneficial for several reasons.
Can you get financial support for home care?
Regardless of whether you arrange for your loved one to move into a care home or you arrange home care services for them, you can get a financial assessment from your local council. This is a means test that will determine whether you’re eligible for any financial support from the local authority to help you pay for private care services.
An important thing to note is that if you choose home care services, the value of your loved one’s home won’t be included in the financial assessment. However, if you choose residential care, it will be included unless there is still a partner or spouse living in the house. When your loved one’s assets are valued at over £23,250, they will be responsible for paying the full cost of their care and if their property is included in the assessment, there’s a high chance that they won’t receive any financial support from the local authority.
So, it is sometimes in your best financial interests to opt for home care services when your loved one’s assets would be less than £23,250 if their home isn’t included in the assessment.
Find out more about the cost of in-home care for the elderly
Hopefully, the information above will be useful if you’re concerned about the cost of care and your mind will be put at ease now you know that home care is an affordable option to consider. If you would like to find out more about the cost of in-home care for the elderly, don’t hesitate to contact us at Beloved Homecare. We understand that this is a financially challenging time for lots of people and we will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Here at Beloved Homecare, we pride ourselves on providing high-quality care services to elderly, convalescing and disabled clients in Trafford and the surrounding areas, but we don’t charge extortionate hourly rates. We can assure you that your loved one will be in caring and capable hands when you use our home care services.