Finding the most comfortable, safe and happy care for your loved one is extremely important. Searching for all this at an affordable price is also essential, to ensure the care is on-going for as long as it may be needed. This has become more difficult in recent years, with the rising cost of elderly care we’re seeing year after year.
There are so many options of elderly care in the UK available now, from care in residential Care Homes, to Care at Home. Each comes with their own benefits and disadvantages, and costs to consider. Depending on what you are looking for, and what’s more important to you, there is a care option available for everyone.
The Rising Cost of Care Homes
In recent years, Care Home fees continue to rise at above-inflation rates. To give you an example, the UK inflation rate was around the 2% mark at the end of 2019. Care Home rates reached more than double that at 4.7% that same year. In fact, Care Home fees that particular year have the biggest annual rise it has seen for the past decade.
The cost of Care Homes around the country varies from each area, so how much you pay for the care of your elderly relative largely depends on where you are located. It is a sort of postcode lottery, with some towns or cities being more pricey than others. For example, the cost of Care Homes in the South East of England is on average 42% higher than a Nursing Homes in the North West.
Care Homes structure their fees not based on location but also depending on the level of care and specific needs that an individual may need. For example, if someone has dementia and requires extra care or attention, a Care Home is likely to charge a higher fee to accommodate for this, further increasing the already rising cost of elderly care. Nursing Homes tend to offer a higher level of care to those who need it, but this is then reflected in their higher costs and fees. The average price of room in a standard Care Home is usually £50,000 a year, whereas a room with specialist care will be slightly pricier reaching £60,000.
Cost of Home Care for Elderly
Given the rising cost of elderly care, care for an elderly person in their own home (Home Care, also known as Care at Home) is a more cost-effective option compared to residential Care Homes. Depending on the needs of the individual, a few adjustments may need to be made to the home (handrails, chairlifts, easy-access shower facilities) which could build up a few costs, but these will still be less than the cost of residential care homes. As well as potentially installing ramps and making other adjustments to make it a more comfortable living environment. Other costs such as shopping, bills and petrol also need to be taken into account.
The best way to manage and stay on top of home care costs is by creating a monthly or quarterly plan. This allows for costs to be constantly met without being blind-sided or short-handed for future costs.
Home Care is another very feasible option. Bringing in a professional caregiver to live-in with your loved one in their home, allows them to feel safe and comfortable in a familiar setting. The above costs still need to be taken into consideration(modification to house, etc), with the added cost of paying for the caregivers. This is usually done on a weekly basis, and rates usually fall between the £750-£1,200 price range. This provides specialist, one-on-one dedicated support and attention, promising far more for your money than the rising price of residential home care.
If you would like to learn more about the cost of our professional Home Care services – please get in touch.