Funding Live-in Care in London

Finding appropriate funding for live-in care can present a challenge. In London, few options are available, such as council funding, NHS continuing care, and private sourcing. This article explores these three types of funding, explaining how they work and sharing the first steps to obtain them.

Live-in Care in London

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Council Funding

Council funding is often the first port of call for many people needing support to pay for live-in care. It is overseen by London local authorities, providing financial aid to those who cannot afford carers. This approach is based on a means-tested financial assessment, where your income, savings and assets are considered.

How Council Funding Works

Upon request, your local council will conduct a two-fold assessment process:

1. Care assessment: This is where your local council determines the person’s needs for care.
2. Financial assessment: This is what the means-testing is primarily based upon and depends upon the person's financial situation.

Following these assessments, the council determines the amount they will contribute towards your live-in care. If eligible, they'll directly pay for the provision of care services or give you direct payments to cater for your own arrangements.

Steps To Seek Council Funding

1. Contact your local council: Find the contact information for your local council on the official London Councils website and arrange an assessment.
2. Prepare for assessment: Gather all necessary documentation on income, savings, and outgoings to demonstrate your financial status.
3. Review the result and take action: The council will notify you in writing about their decision on your eligibility. If accepted, arrange for your care needs.

NHS Continuing Care

NHS Continuing Healthcare is a package of care funded entirely by the NHS for individuals with long-term, complex health needs. It's crucial to note that NHS continuing care is not dependent on the nature of the ailment but its complexity, unpredictability, and intensity.

How NHS Continuing Care Works

Eligibility for NHS Continuing Care is assessed by a professional, like a nurse, doctor, or social worker. They use a checklist to determine whether you're eligible for a full assessment carried out by a multi-disciplinary team.

Key factors reviewed in the assessment include:

• Behaviour
• Cognition (understanding)
• Psychological/emotional needs
• Communication
• Mobility
• Nutrition - food and drink
• Continence
• Breathing
• Drugs and medication
• Altered states of consciousness
• Skin (including wounds and ulcers)

Steps To Get NHS Continuing Care

1. Request an assessment: Contact your GP or social worker to request a Continuing Healthcare assessment. Alternatively, a healthcare professional may automatically begin this process if they deem it necessary.
2. Undergo the assessment process: A checklist assessment is first done to see if a full evaluation is required. If a full assessment is needed, a team of health and social care professionals will assess your care needs.
3. Receive the funding decision: If deemed eligible, a personal health budget is created to fund your live-in care.

Private Funding

When public funding is insufficient or unavailable, private funding becomes an option. This typically means self-funding, where the person in need of care or their family pays directly for the care services.

How Private Funding Works

Private funding or self-funding of care involves directly paying for home-care services or live-in care privately. The cost depends on an individual’s care needs, the type of care, and the care provider. For a more accurate idea of costs in London, see this guide on the Cost of Live-in Care in London.

Steps To Secure Private Funding

1. Explore care options: Start by understanding your care needs and lookup live-in care providers in London. You can check PrimeCarers for a range of accredited live-in care services.
2. Assess your financial situation: Determine how much you can afford to spend considering your income and assets.
3. Engage care services: Once you identify a suitable care service, negotiate terms and begin services.

Conclusion

Funding live-in care can be daunting, but several options are available. Remember, one size does not fit all. The best funding option depends on your financial situation and care needs. Council funding, NHS continued care, or private funding each has its process and steps. Always ensure that you make informed decisions by seeking financial advice first, or consult related guides like the Complete Guide to Live-in Care.