Funding Live-in Care in Lancashire

Finding quality care for our loved ones is a top priority. However, the question of how to pay for this level of care can be daunting. In Lancashire, there are various options for care funding to consider. We'll explore council funding, National Health Service (NHS) continuing care, and even private funding as some of the primary sources of funding for live-in home care.

Live-in Care in Lancashire

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Council Funding

If you are looking for funding assistance with live-in care costs, the local authorities in Lancashire might be a great option. It's through their social care provision that they can sometimes offer financial assistance.

How To Access Council Funding

Council funding is means-tested, which means the amount of funding you receive will depend on your personal circumstances. Initially, you'll need to undergo a social care assessment through Lancashire local authority to establish your eligibility. This assessment includes both a health review and a financial assessment. Here's a link to their website to get you started.

The following are the recommended steps to follow for requesting council funding:

1. Get a care needs assessment. To determine your care needs, a social worker or occupational therapist will complete the assessment. This process aims to identify what help you need and whether a stay-at-home caregiver is the most suitable solution. You can find out more about this in our Complete Guide to Local Authority Funding.

2. If your needs meet the national and local eligibility criteria, you will then have a financial assessment (a means-test)

3. Undergoing a financial assessment. The local authority will assess your income, savings, and property to decide if you qualify for financial assistance. If your savings and assets are above a certain threshold, you may need to self-fund your care.

After these assessments, you'll receive a care plan which outlines the care you need, who will provide it, and the cost.

NHS Continuing Care

A further option to cover the costs is the NHS Continuing Healthcare system. This is a free package of care available to some individuals who have significant ongoing health needs.

How To Access NHS Continuing Care

Accessing NHS Continuing Healthcare involves an assessment carried out by a clinician. This requires a comprehensive review of the individual's overall health needs and circumstances.

Below is an overview of the steps you should take to apply for NHS Continuing Care:

1. Undergoing an initial checklist assessment. This helps to identify if you need a full assessment.

2. If you qualify for a full assessment: a multidisciplinary team (MDT) assesses your needs using a decision support tool (DST). You can find further details on NHS continuing healthcare at this link.

3. Receiving an eligibility decision. The local NHS authority reviews the MDT’s recommendation and makes the final decision about eligibility.

Consider reviewing our Complete Guide to NHS Continuing Healthcare to dive deeper.

Private Funding

Finally, if council funding or NHS Continuing Healthcare are unavailable or insufficient, private funding might be necessary.

How To Access Private Funding

Private funding involves paying for live-in care through personal savings, pensions, or assets. It allows individuals to retain complete control over the choice of carer or service, but it can place a significant financial strain on individuals or families.

Before opting for private funding, consider obtaining advice from a financial planner or advisor who specialises in care funding. They can help ensure you're making the most of your resources and may help identify additional funding sources.

To get a clear picture of the potential costs, have a look at the Cost of Live-in Care in Lancashire.

In Conclusion

Getting the right care and support for yourself or loved ones is important, but understanding the costs and how to fund them, can be a colossal task. Whether it's through the council, the NHS or private funding, Lancashire offers multi-tiered support systems to help ease the process.

Making the right choice depends on many factors, the most prominent being your individual circumstances, health needs and financial status. It's crucial to ensure all available funding options are considered and explored. For more information on live-in care services in Lancashire, click here.