15 Dec 2021
Were the Government’s long-awaited plans for a much-needed overhaul of social care worth the wait? In a word, no. The white paper on social care in England and new cap on care fees brings more confusion to an already confused system. It’s unlikely to save many people any money and does nothing to alleviate the immediate crisis facing social care. There may be a positive difference for a very limited number of people but certainly not poorer pensioners. It’s clear the safety net for individuals has some significant holes in it. None of us can rely on it and each of us should make both a health and a wealth plan. It’s time we stopped thinking of planning for the future as something we do in later life. Day in day out we support older and vulnerable people facing issues like care home fee rises, poor quality of care, the desire to stay in your own home, and lack of access to funding for support for conditions like dementia. The earlier each of us begins, the more options we allow ourselves when we eventually do need support. When thinking about protecting your home when it comes to paying for the cost of care, there are a few things to consider:
Each individual’s circumstances are very different, so we’d always recommend speaking to a specialist solicitor.
Independent Age also has some good advice on their website and a free helpline: 0800 319 6789.
If you require further advice or support regarding this issue, please contact Andrea Beesley-Hewitt., Solicitor at Hegarty Solicitors, Stamford Office and member of SFE (Solicitors for the Elderly), the membership organisation for specialist solicitors who support older and vulnerable people by calling 01780 750 952 or email andrea.beesley-hewitt@hegarty.co.uk