Funding Home Care in Richmond upon Thames

Funding home care in Richmond upon Thames mainly involves three primary sources, namely council funding, NHS continuing healthcare and private funding.

Home Care in Richmond upon Thames

Read Now

Understanding the Different Types of Home Care Funding

To make informed decisions when seeking funding, it's essential to understand the different types of care. Home care can be classified into three main categories: live-in care, hourly care, and respite care. Depending on your needs or the requirements of your loved one, you may need to apply for specific types of funding.

Live-in Care

Live-in care is a form of home care where the caregiver resides with the individual needing care. It's ideal for people who require assistance round the clock. Here, the carer assists with personal care, companionship, housekeeping, and might even provide additional services like pet care. More about live-in care

Hourly Care

As the name suggests, this type of care is paid per hour. It is suitable for individuals who need assistance for a few hours a day or a week. Services could range from personal hygiene assistance to meal preparation and companionship. More about hourly care

Respite Care

This type of care offers a short-term break for primary caregivers. It could span from a few hours a day to a couple of weeks, allowing the primary caregiver to recover or focus on other responsibilities. More about respite care

Council Funding for Home Care

One potential source of funding for residents of Richmond upon Thames is through the council. The council can offer care funding to individuals who have been physically or mentally assessed as needing care.

How Council Funding Works

Council funding is dependent on the financial circumstances of the person in need of care. After the initial assessment, a financial assessment, also known as a means test, is carried out considering your income, capital and savings. This assessment determines how much, if anything, you need to contribute towards the cost of your care. If one qualifies, the council provides funds that can be used within budget constraints. More about council funding

First Steps to Access Council Funding

The first step is to contact the Richmond upon Thames council and ask for a care needs assessment. A care professional will then assess one’s care needs.

NHS Continuing Care

Another source of funding that could be available to Richmond upon Thames residents is NHS continuing healthcare.

How NHS Continuing Healthcare Works

NHS continuing healthcare is council-funded healthcare provided outside of hospital that is arranged and funded by the NHS. It's for individuals with significant ongoing healthcare needs. Funding decisions are made by clinical commissioning groups, and eligibility is based on specific criteria. More about NHS continuing healthcare

First Steps to Access NHS Continuing Healthcare

Your first step is to get a health need assessment from the NHS. Following this, a country-wide framework is used to assess the severity and complexity of your healthcare needs, and to decide whether you are eligible for NHS continuing healthcare. More about how to access NHS care

Private Funding for Home Care

Private funding is another option for those who don't meet the criteria for council or NHS funding, or who prefer not to engage with public sector services.

How Private Funding Works

Private funding involves the individual (or their family) paying for care services themselves. The individual can choose from a range of providers and pay for the services out-of-pocket.

First Steps to Private Funding

Conduct relevant research into available private home care providers in Richmond upon Thames. Make sure that the provider is trusted, reliable and charges fees that are within one's budget. Then, decide on your required level of care. More about private home care providers

Conclusion

Funding home care can often seem daunting due to the large amount of information and options available. However, with an understanding of the different types of home care and the funding options available, it becomes easier to navigate. Whether through council funding, NHS continuing healthcare or private funding, there are various ways to cover the cost of home care in Richmond upon Thames. Everyone deserves access to quality home care. Securing the right funding is the first step towards this aim.