Older people are being forced to pay up to £8,000 a month for the care they need, a shock report has revealed.
The huge bill follows care and nursing home costs more than doubling in the past 20 years.
A report by healthcare provider LaingBuisson said average residential care was £363 a week in 2002/03. This year, it is estimated to be around £800.
Lawyer Lisa Morgan, of Hugh James Solicitors, said it was “not unusual” for some clients to be paying £8,000 a month. Before Covid, it was £3,000 to £4,000.
She said: “Clients are reporting they have received letters from care home providers that their rates are increasing further by eight to 10 percent this month.
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“The cost-of-living crisis has greatly amplified the issue.”
Currently, people in England with assets under £23,250 – £50,000 in Wales – are eligible for state support towards care costs.
But those with more usually foot the bill entirely.
But regardless of their financial circumstances, some can qualify for free help through the NHS Continuing Healthcare scheme. However, securing funding is a complex and restrictive process.
The fully-funded scheme is for people with complex, intense or unpredictable needs.
However, despite an ageing population, NHS England figures show the number eligible for CHC has fallen by 18 percent in the last five years.
Ms Morgan said: “The lack of awareness of the funding and appeals process, coupled with guidelines which are often forgotten or applied too restrictively, means more could be eligible.”
Under now-delayed government reforms, there will be an £86,000 cap on the amount anyone in England will have to spend on personal care in their lifetime.
The upper capital limit – at which people become eligible to receive some care costs support from their local authority – rises from £23,250 to £100,000.
It means those with less than £100,000 of chargeable assets should not contribute more than 20 percent of that sum a year.
