Care & Care Support

Information and support to help with providing care for a loved one, or for anyone in need of care themselves

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Live-in
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We’ve partnered with Lifted, a care company that supports people to live in their own home for as long as possible.

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Care home
providers

We put together some insight to help you decide is care homes are the right option for you or your loved one.

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General care advice

We’ve put together some useful guides to help you understand the different types of care available.

Planning ahead

Although planning for loss can be incredibly difficult, it can save time and stress later on. Planning discussions with the person you’re caring for can also be a chance to honour any wishes they may have surrounding medical treatment, funeral care arrangements, and anything else.

Jobs and careers in care

Many people make career changes into care later in life – usually to make the most of their life experience and give back to their community. Our career change guides will show you how to get started.

Care FAQs

How is care funded?

Fees for long-term care can be eye-watering, but there are a number of funding options. Your local council or the NHS may be able to help meet the cost of care. Alternatively, there are several ways to raise the money, such as selling a property, or using equity release to unlock some of the wealth tied up in your home without selling up. Downsizing, or using a pension to pay for care costs are among other options.

Find out more in our articles How to pay for long-term care and How to manage your money if you need care.

What is a care funding plan?

There are several care funding options, including a specific financial product that meets the cost of care, called an immediate needs annuity. In return for handing over some, or all of your pension savings, you’ll be paid a guaranteed income for life that will cover the cost of care. Also known as immediate care plans, these can provide peace of mind that the cost of care will be covered, either in your own home or at a care home, depending on your preference.

Find out more in our article What is an immediate needs annuity?

How much does a carer cost per week in the UK?

Care can be hugely expensive, but there’s plenty of help and support available. On average, the cost of residential care in England was £730 per week in 2021/22, with the average cost of nursing care coming in at a massive £1,038 a week, according to research by LaingBuisson. The cost varies widely across the UK, and specialist care costs, such as for people with dementia, will usually be greater. Eligibility for financial help towards this depends on your mobility and health, and the value of savings, assets and income.

Find out more in our article How to pay for long-term care.

How does the cap on care work?

The government has announced changes to prevent people from racking up care bills that they can’t afford to pay. At present, anyone in England with assets over £23,250 must pay for their care in full. It’s been estimated that around one in 10 adults aged 65 faced lifetime care costs of more than £100,000, but rising costs mean that this has now increased to one in seven. In light of this, rule changes in the next few years include a new cap, so that from October 2023, the maximum you’ll have to pay for personal care if you’re starting adult social care is £86,000 over your lifetime.

Find out more in our article What changes to social care mean for you.

Is a live-in carer cheaper than a care home?

The cost of live-in care may be cheaper than a care home, but this depends on the amount of support you need. Typically, the cost of live-in care in the UK is around £120 to £150 per day, but this varies depending on what care is needed, where you live, and your assets. If you have complex needs, live-in care may be more expensive than a residential care or nursing home. As care needs may change over time, so will the costs involved.

Find out more in our article Live-in care – what is it and what are the benefits?

Inspiring personal stories of carers

If you need a bit of a boost or you’re curious about what being a carer could be like, then you might want to read some real-life stories from our inspiring Rest Less members. 

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