Update on Care for the Elderly

Article date: 20.11.09

BRIEFING NOTE
20 November 2009

UPDATE ON CARE FOR THE ELDERLY: SYMPONIA SAYS “IT’S GOOD TO TALK, MR BROWN – BUT MAKE SURE YOU LISTEN, TOO”

Following the Queen’s Speech, Symponia, the care fees planning and financial advice specialist network for the over 65s, offers an update on care for the elderly, which will be high on today’s agenda, following prime minister Gordon Brown’s pledge to provide free home care for 280,000 elderly people in Britain.

The Queen did indeed speak of the proposal to introduce free personal care for those with the highest need; however Symponia believes that sadly, this is a real case of much too little, much too late.

Symponia members across the UK have been garnering anecdotal information from conversations with clients, members and associated professionals (including solicitors) since August when health minister Andy Burnham set out proposals for future care funding in a Green Paper, and declared the following three months a period of consultation, which has now ended.  Key points to emerge during this time include:

The National Care Service ; good or bad idea?
Generally, it is perceived as good – in theory. BUT clarity needs to be given as to just how much the basic-level would be in £s.

•    Symponia believes it will be in the region of £350 per week
•    It is also believed that Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance and Nursing Care Contribution will be withdrawn to help fund the basic entitlement, merely swapping one benefit for another.
•    Once the amount has been agreed, further guidance will be needed on exactly what is covered
•    Hidden in the current small print is the fact that the NCS contribution only applies to care, not accommodation and/or other hotel type services 
 
The removal of means testing; good or bad idea?
People think that removing the means test is a good idea, but what is not so obvious is that, even if it is removed, houses may still have to be sold.  Why?

Case study A
Mrs Smith is the owner of a modest home, small income and little else so will qualify for £350 pounds per week of NCS funding.  She will probably have to contribute a further £100 (approximately) of her income to cover the additional accommodation charges, but her house won’t be forcibly sold to cover her care fees; all’s well with the voting public and Mrs Smith’s family

Case study B
Mrs Jones on the other hand is the owner of a somewhat larger house, and a higher income.   This lady will be entitled to her basic £350, but neither she nor her family is happy with the care home costing £450 each week.

Instead they select a care home with fees closer to £950 per week, and to afford this specific care home, Mrs Jones has to sell her house to cover the increased fees.   As is the situation now, the equity in her property may be entirely used up paying for care, but she has lost the sympathy of voters and MPs because she selected to sell her house to live in a more expensive care home.

Karen Rayner, Care Fees Specialist of The Wealth Care Partnership and Symponia member says;

“We welcome any initiative that improves the lot of elderly people in this country.  Even the Government itself has admitted that the current system is ‘not fit for purpose’.  However, Gordon Brown and Health Minister Andy Burnham would do well to engage with professionals in the care sector to build a clearer picture and draw on their experience of working with elderly people and their families. 

For anyone who is currently concerned about funding care for a loved one, we have a free Guide to Care Fees Planning which can be requested by visiting our website www.twcp.co.uk  or telephoning our free helpline, 0800 6528232.

For further information about Symponia, please visit : www.symponia.co.uk  or telephone : 01425 653263