Funding Home Care in Nottinghamshire

Funding Home Care in Nottinghamshire is sourced mainly from council funding, NHS Continuing Healthcare or through private funding options.

Home Care in Nottinghamshire

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How Council Funding Works

Council funding is one of your primary sources for financing home care; it is managed by the local authority in Nottinghamshire.

Determining Funding Eligibility

Your eligibility for council funding is assessed based on two main criteria- need and finance.

Need Assessment

It begins with a care assessment. The local authority evaluates the care needs and services required. This could range from help with personal care such as bathing, eating, and dressing, to household chores and maintaining a social life.

Financial Assessment

A financial assessment or means test follows the care assessment. The local authority assesses the individual's income and savings to determine how much they can contribute to their care. Savings over £23,250 may indicate you will have to pay for your own care. However, certain assets like the value of your main house are not always included.

How to Access Council Funding

Start by contacting the Nottinghamshire local authority directly to arrange an assessment. You can also get free advice from the social services department.

Council Funding Payment Methods

Should you qualify for financial help, there are several ways you could receive your funding:

1. Direct Payments: This method allows you to manage your funds yourself. You'll receive money from the council directly to pay for your care services.
2. Personal Budget: Here, the council holds your fund but you decide how it will be spent.
3. Council arranged services: With this method, the council manages the funds and care services.

NHS Continuing Healthcare

NHS Continuing Healthcare is a package of care funded by the NHS for individuals with significant and ongoing health needs. It covers the full cost of healthcare, including care provided at home.

Determining Funding Eligibility

Eligibility for NHS Continuing Healthcare is based on health needs and not a specific diagnosis. It involves a comprehensive assessment process by a team of healthcare professionals who carry out a full assessment of the patient's health needs using a Decision Support Tool. This helps them decide if the individual's need for care is high enough to warrant NHS Continuing Healthcare.

How to Apply for NHS Continuing Health Care

To apply, contact your GP, social worker, or local ICB (Integrated Commissioning Board). They will initially perform a screening test using a checklist, and if you meet the criteria, a full assessment will be conducted.

NHS Continuing Health Care Payment

Payments from NHS Continuing Healthcare cover the full cost of care. It can be paid to a care provider, like a care agency, or in some cases paid directly to the individual as a personal health budget which can then be used to pay for care.

Private Funding

Private funding of home care is a viable option for those who do not qualify for council funding or the NHS Continuing Healthcare or those who prefer to supplement the care they receive from these sources.

How Private Funding Works

Private funding involves using private resources to pay for home care services. These resources could be income, savings, assets, pensions, or investments. Various care cost calculators online can help estimate the cost of home care based on individual needs. Different types of home care – live-in care, hourly care, or respite care all come with their specific costs, which must be factored into the equation.

Applying for Private Funding

Gold-plated advice is to engage the services of an independent financial adviser specialised in long-term care to ensure the best options are explored.

Paying for Private Home Care

Choosing to privately fund home care provides flexibility in choosing the suitable care services, whether it be a choice of the best home carers, types of home care services, or care agency.

Funding your home care in Nottinghamshire may first appear complex, but with the right information and support, you can effectively navigate these waters. Always take into consideration the care needs, financial capability and eligibility of the individual needing care. Don't be afraid to ask the right care firms and agencies for more guidance and take professional advice where necessary.