Funding Home Care in Shropshire

Funding home care in Shropshire involves an array of options, from Council Funding and NHS Continuing Care to private funding, all worth understanding to make a well-informed decision.

Home Care in Shropshire

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Understanding Home Care

Before venturing into funding options, it's crucial to understand what qualifies as home care in Shropshire. Home care services help those who need specialised care while they live at home. They might entail live-in care, hourly care, or respite care, depending on specific needs and circumstances. For instance, you may want to consider options like live-in care or hourly care depending on the circumstance.

Council Funding

What Is Council Funding and How It Works

If you are resident in Shropshire and need care at home, the local authority could potentially fund the care. The Shropshire Council is committed to assisting individuals who need care in obtaining the necessary services. This funding is means-tested, implying that only people with limited finances and assets are eligible.

How to Access Council Funding

The first step towards securing council funding entails contacting the council and requesting an assessment. The council will take into account the individual's financial condition, per their guidelines, as well as the level of care needed before deciding if they can afford to contribute to the cost. If approved, the council will certify a weekly contribution amount, which will be directly used to pay for the care. The details of Council Funding for home care, the criteria, and the application process can be found here.

NHS Continuing Healthcare

What Is NHS Continuing Healthcare and How It Works

Another primary source of funding available in Shropshire is the NHS Continuing Healthcare. This is a package of care provided by the NHS to individuals with severe, ongoing healthcare needs. This care is free, regardless of financial capacity, provided the beneficiary’s need is primarily for health. It’s important to remember that NHS funding is not means-tested.

How to Access the NHS Continuing Healthcare

To start the process, liaise with your GP or social worker, requesting an NHS Continuing Healthcare assessment. A team of professionals will then assess your needs to determine if you meet the criteria for this care. Being a part of the Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin Integrated Commissioning Board, the board will assess a patient's needs for ongoing care. If approved, they will discuss with you about how and where the care is to be provided. You can find more information about it here.

Private Funding

What Is Private Funding and How It Works

Some individuals may opt to privately finance their care. This is often due to their financial capability, preference, or ineligibility for council or NHS funding. With private funding, you fund your own home care without any local authority or NHS intervention.

How to Go About Private Funding

As a self-funder, you'll have to identify the type of care you need and the level of assistance required. Private live-in care, private hourly care, respite care are some of the options you can explore depending on your situation.

Conclusion

Securely funding the home care services you need doesn't need to be stressful or confusing. In Shropshire, there are several avenues to fund care for individuals living in their homes. This includes council funding and NHS continuing care, which are worth exploring if you're eligible. Also, private funding allows for autonomy and the freedom to choose the services you want. Irrespective of your choice, central to this decision-making is understanding the types of care available, the application or enrolment process, and the conditions of each funding option.