As we know, planning is key, so it's important that you research ahead of time exactly what will be available to you if and when you need it. This includes support from the local authority, the NHS and your GP, so make sure you contact them all, or get help.
Understand and Claim any State Benefits
The first thing to do is to work out whether you are eligible for any state benefits. If you’re over state pension age then you may qualify for Attendance Allowance, which pays at different levels depending on how much help you need day-to-day. It isn’t means-tested either.
If you’re younger than state pension age then you could claim Disability Living Allowance instead, though is being replaced by the Personal independence Payment (PIP). Again, there are different levels of this, and different components for daily living needs and mobility needs. And like Attendance Allowance, it isn’t means-tested.
If you’re caring for someone for more than 35 hours a week, you may be able to claim Carer’s Allowance. If you’re the one being cared for, make sure your carer is taking advantage of this.
I’ve often come up against some resistance from older folks about taking benefits, as if there’s some kind of shame in it. But there isn’t – not taking what is available after you’ve paid tax all your life is nonsensical, so claim what you can.
Talk to Your Local Authority and Your Doctor
You’ll need to talk to your Local Authority to get yourself in the system for care assessments. Even if you know for sure that you’re going to be bearing the cost of all your non-medical care, it’s worth getting in the system, I reckon. There may be things you can claim for that you’re not expecting.
Someone will likely come out to your home, at least in more normal times than we find ourselves in right now, and will ask for details of your finances, so be prepared with a list of what you have. But they’ll ask about your needs as well, so be honest about what you’re struggling with. Again, there’s no shame in admitting you’re not getting on as well as you used to.
All local authorities offer something called a Deferred Payment Agreement, which means that they agree to pay for your care fees while you are alive, but you accrue a debt to them which is eventually paid off by selling your house when you die. They will charge interest, and the amount of the debt you accrue will be limited and linked to the value of your home – but it’s worth asking the question.
You should keep up a dialogue with your doctor too, who may be able to get assistance aids for you in the home and an assessment to see what you might need. Remember that some of your needs may be covered by the NHS, so you’ll need to keep your doctor or practice nurse in the loop.
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