I Need to Plan for Care

Contact your local council's adult social care team to request a care needs assessment. This is free and available to anyone who appears to need care and support. The assessment looks at your physical, mental, and emotional needs and determines what support you require.

If you are assessed as having eligible care needs, the council will carry out a financial assessment (means test) to determine how much you should contribute towards your care costs. The current capital threshold is £23,250 — if you have more than this in assets, you will usually need to fund your own care (self-fund). Your home is not counted if you or your partner still lives there.

If you have not already, consider setting up a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) for both health and welfare decisions, and property and financial affairs. This must be done while the person has mental capacity. An LPA costs £82 per document to register with the Office of the Public Guardian.

Consider the different types of care available: home care (from a few hours a week to live-in care), residential care homes, and nursing homes. Check CQC ratings for any provider you are considering. Talk to the care provider, visit if possible, and ask detailed questions about what is included in the fees.

Based on your financial assessment, arrange how you will pay for care. Options include council-arranged care, self-funding, Attendance Allowance (if over State Pension age), NHS Continuing Healthcare (if you have a primary health need), and deferred payment agreements (which let you delay selling your home). Make sure any agreements are in writing.