Comparing Care Home Costs

All homes have their own fee structure. Most homes charge different rates for single rooms, double rooms and for en suite facilities. Some homes will only admit residents who are self-funding, others will also admit those who are being helped by Social Services; some homes only admit residents who rely on Social Services for their funding.

It is sensible to contact your local Social Services offices and ask for a financial assessment before making any final decisions regarding your relative's transfer to a care home.

Your relative's care manager will assess the needs of your relative and decide the type of care which is most appropriate for them. This may be a residential care home, a nursing home or another type of care. If you disagree with their decision you may ask for a second opinion.

They will give you a list of homes in the area and guidance regarding the listed homes which may be suitable for your relative. However, care managers are not allowed to recommend any particular home. Before you visit the various homes jot down a list of financial issues you need to know about, for instance.

• Will a monthly account be sent to me?
• Do the fees cover everything?
• Are there any extra charges for anything?
• When are fees due?
• Can fees be paid by direct debit?
• Who are the direct debit or cheques made payable to?
• Do Social Services send their contribution to the home?

Your care manager will arrange for your relative to have a financial assessment. This is mandatory if they hope to have financial help from Social Services. Even those people who expect to be self-funding may benefit from such an assessment because the assessor will ensure your relative is getting all the allowances to which they are entitled.