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Article 1Live-in helpers come to the rescue
(Excerpts taken from an article in the Daily Telegragh – 30th June 2007)
Recent media investigations showing abuse and neglect at some long term care homes have made many families wary about choosing accommodation for elderly relatives who can no longer cope by themselves.
As a result, demand is growing for “live-in” help from carers and nurses who will stay in your home and provide companionship, support and practical assistance. Their main services include helping with mobility, shopping and pension and prescription collection, as well as assisting clients in meal preparation, getting in and out of bed, personal care in the bathroom and driving to see friends or to appointments. Companies providing such care say that the benefits include motivation and stimuli to encourage health and independence.
Unfortunately, this kind of assistance does not come cheap, and the burden of paying for long term care weighs heavily on many elderly people and their families. According to a recent survey, one in four of the 10.2 million people over the age of 65 in the UK will require long term care at some stage.
State funding of such care is only available free to people in England and Northern Ireland with assets of less than £21,000 – and most peoples homes are worth more than this. Above these limits, the full cost of care must be met by the individual and can run into tens of thousands of pounds.
A small minority of people with life-limiting and terminal illnesses qualify for fully paid nursing at home through the NHS Continuing Care scheme, as they need either long term or palliative care outside of hospital. Most people, however, are entitled only to a Registered Nursing Care Contribution from the NHS of between £40 and £133 a week – the amount depends on how much nursing care (as distinct from simple personal care) you need.
Access to funding used to be dependent on a “postcode lottery” as eligibility criteria were set by each local Primary Care Trust or Health Board – but that should improve in the wake of announcements made this week (30th June 2007). Please see Article 2.
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