Funding Live-in Care in Leicester

Live-in care is an exceptional choice for seniors who require assistance throughout the day but want to maintain their independence by staying at home rather than moving into a residential care facility. One major question when considering live-in care is how to finance it. This comprehensive guide explores the main sources of funding: council funding, NHS continuing care, and private funding.

Live-in Care in Leicester

Read Now

Council Funding

One significant source of funding comes from the local authority. For residents of Leicester, the Leicester City Council could provide this financial assistance. The process to access this funding often starts with a needs assessment conducted by the council to consider the level of care required, which you can apply for by contacting the Leicester City Council.

After the need’s assessment, a financial assessment is carried out to determine what, if any, contribution you need to make towards your care.

How Does Council Funding Work?

In the UK, you may be entitled to receive funding from your local council if your budget is below a specific threshold. In England, for instance, if your savings and assets total less than £23,250, the council could help fund your care.

If your needs are primarily medical, you may be doubly eligible for NHS Continuing Healthcare, which will fully fund your care if you qualify. However, if you're not eligible yet still have some health needs, the council may refer you for an NHS Funded Nursing Care contribution to cover some health related costs, but this doesn’t cover full-time live-in-care, but does provide a contribution.

The process to apply for local authority funding involves an initial needs assessment, then a financial assessment, and finally, if eligible, a care and support plan is developed by the council, tailored to your needs. It's a good idea to seek independent advice about your situation before making any decisions.

A direct payment scheme is usually arranged so that you, or someone else acting on your behalf, will receive the funds to pay for your care. It's important to remember, council funding does not have to be your only source of financing. It can be supplemented by private funding for added care and support.

NHS Continuing Care

The NHS Continuing Healthcare is a fully-funded care package organised and funded entirely by the NHS. Leicester is part of the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland integrated commissioning board.

NHS continuing healthcare details can be obtained from their site, which has detailed information about how to access this service. CCGs, Clinical Commissioning Groups, no longer exist; they have been replaced by Integrated Commissioning Boards (ICBs), which will assess a patient's need for ongoing care.

How Does NHS Continuing Care Work?

NHS Continuing Healthcare is for adults who have a 'primary health need'. Such a need is one that is on-going, complex, intense, unpredictable and requires a specialist to manage it. Notably, eligibility is about the kind of care you need, not the condition or disease you have.

To begin the process, a healthcare professional will complete a 'Checklist Assessment'. If this assessment reveals that you may be eligible, then a full 'Decision Support Tool' assessment is conducted by a multidisciplinary team. During this assessment, 12 different areas of need, called ‘domains’, are considered, including mobility, cognition, communication, pain and more.

Accruing Financial Support

If you qualify for NHS Continuing Healthcare, the NHS will cover the full cost of your care, whether it's provided at home or in a care home. An independent healthcare budget, or 'Personal Health Budget', can be arranged, providing you with flexibility and choice about how your healthcare is delivered.

Private Funding

Sometimes, the support required surpasses what council funding and NHS Continuing Healthcare packages can support, or you may not qualify for either of them. In such instances, private funding becomes a viable choice.

The full expense of live-in care in Leicester can vary greatly; the Cost of Live-in Care in Leicester guide provides a detailed view on costs. Reflecting on your personal finances or talking with a financial advisor can be wise starting points for self-funding.

Private funding often offers the greatest level of choice but requires careful management. Retirement savings, property value, insurance policies, and support from family are common sources of private funds.

Conclusion

When choosing live-in care, putting funding plans in place is a vital step. Your funding may come from one or a combination of council funding, NHS Continuing Healthcare, and private funding.

Before reaching a decision, make yourself familiar with all available options. Our Complete Guide to Local Authority Funding, Complete Guide to NHS Continuing Healthcare, and Complete Guide to Self-Funding Care can help ensure you're well-informed. Remember, every situation is unique, and you may need to utilise different funding sources over time.

Finding the right live-in care in Leicester starts with finding the right carer. At PrimeCarers, we can assist you in locating the Best Live-in Carers in Leicester, personalised to suit your needs and preferences, providing peace of mind for you and your loved ones.