Funding Live-in Care in Islington

Live-in care provides round-the-clock personal and healthcare to individuals, right in the comfort of their own homes. This requirement can often come as a sudden need and knowing how to fund this care in Islington can be daunting. This article aims to provide a holistic and detailed guide, focusing on three major sources: council funding, NHS continuing healthcare, and private funding.

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Council Funding in Islington

When discussing council funding, we refer to the financial assistance provided by the local authority to meet the care needs of eligible individuals. The Islington local authority follows an assessment process to check the eligibility of the individual based on financial capability and care needs based on health conditions.

To apply for council funding, you need to contact the local council and request a needs assessment. The council will then evaluate the individual's care and support needs. Post this, a financial assessment, or means test, may be conducted based on the income, savings, and property to understand if the individual falls into the council’s financial threshold for funding. This decides the final council contribution.

If eligible, next is a care and support plan created by the council. It states the services the person will receive to meet the identified needs. The final stage is a personal budget, a statement showing the cost of meeting the needs and who will pay what.

For further details about this procedure, visit the Islington Council website.

NHS Continuing Healthcare

NHS Continuing Healthcare is a package of care arranged and funded solely by the healthcare system in England, known as the NHS. It is designed for those with long-term, complex health needs who require 'primary health need', not only social care needs.

Unlike council funding, the NHS Continuing Healthcare covers 100% of care home costs. This not only includes personal care but also healthcare costs.

The process starts with a checklist assessment to identify if the individual might be eligible for full assessment. This initial assessment is conducted by a healthcare professional like a GP, nurse, or social worker.

The next step, if the checklist is approved, is a full assessment of care needs. This thorough assessment is conducted by a multidisciplinary team (MDT) using a decision support tool.

Then, if eligible, a care plan offering the services the patient would receive is created. It's essential to involve the patient and family in the planning process.

The services could be provided in any setting, including home or care home. And the funding can cover personal care, nursing care, therapies, and accommodation if someone is residing in a care home.

For additional information about this process, you can visit this link provided by the North Central London Integrated Commissioning Board.

Private Funding

Private funding or self-funding is another major source through which live-in care is funded in Islington. Private funding involves using personal finances, either savings or assets, to pay for care.

The greatest advantage of self-funding is that it provides the freedom to choose the care provider, whether it's regarding live-in care in Islington or for any other specific personal or healthcare needs. Nonetheless, the challenge here lies in ensuring that funds are sufficient to support the complete care duration.

There are different private funding options to explore, among which are:

• Cash: The most straightforward way of funding care.
• Investments: This could be through income, growth, or both derived from various assets.
• Property: This includes equity release schemes, downsizing, or even renting out a portion.
• Pensions: Particularly beneficial if the social care is needed post-retirement.
• Insurance: Care annuity or immediate need annuity can give a guaranteed income in exchange for a lump sum.

Before opting to self-fund, it's advisable to check for potential benefits and credits. You can also consider taking financial advice to understand the best options. Our complete guide to self-funding care provides a more detailed look at this option.

Conclusion

The path to funding live-in care in Islington can be navigated through understanding the available options, their processes, and associated eligibility criteria. Council funding and NHS continuing healthcare are two public avenues offering financial support basis needs and conditions assessed. Private funding comes into the picture for those who prefer to use their means to secure care.

Resources such as our guide to local authority funding and our guide to NHS continuing healthcare can provide further detailed insights. Remember, the goal is to secure the best possible care for you or your loved ones. It's crucial to understand the different aspects of these funding routes, including their potential advantages and limitations. Always reach out to professional advice if needed and take the necessary time to make an informed decision.