How much to save for future care?

Social services automatically ask family if they can top up (I said no). If you have chosen a very expensive home the LA may try to move your relaitve to a cheaper home. But if you have chosen a moderately priced one, that is less likely.

When my mother's money ran out the care home manager told me what would happen: the LA would refuse to pay the full fees, the care home would refuse to accept the lower amount, and after lengthy negotiation they would come to an agreement. And that is what happened, over the course of three months.

The council will pay a contribution and ask the family to pay a top up fee. If family don't agree they may be moved to a cheaper home.

She doesn't need to 'put money aside'. As long as she doesn't give away large amounts of money, she can pay for all reasonable living expenses, buy whatever she needs, go on holiday etc. She can also buy gifts (within reason) for the family.

My mother had well over £300k when she started with dementia. She ended up needing care for 9 years. Her care home fees were about £54k a year so towards the end of her life her money ran out and the local authority paid her fees in her original care home. As previous PP have said, council care homes barely exist any more so they could not move her.

As PPs have said there's basically no such thing as a council run care home any more, not quite, there are a few I'm sure but probably quite specialized. What there is a (weekly) rate councils consider reasonable to pay (depending on location and the type of care needed e.g. 'normal' residential, specialist dementia residential, nursing, specialist nursing). Some homes exclusively charge the council rate to everyone regardless of whether the council are paying or you're self funding, some charge more so are only accessible to private funding people and some (probably the majority) charge one rate for self-funders and one for council-funded residents (all residents treated the same but to some extent the self-funders are subsidizing the others). So long as you don't choose a home providing care in excess of her needs (e.g. a nursing home when she only needs residential) and you don't choose somewhere excessively expensive/luxurious it's likely she wouldn't need to move if/when her own money runs out, the council can usually step in to pay the bills once the person's funds are exhausted.

In terms of your question I'm afraid I'd think less about how much she needs to save, as residential care is so expensive there's a fair likelihood it will far exceed any normal persons means (if she ends up needing residential for say 2 years or more, which is not a given of course, she may manage very well at home). I'd think more of what is it reasonable for her to spend/give away - elderly people aren't expected to live totally parsimonious lives and save all their money for future care, it's reasonable that she will need to spend some money on housing herself (for e.g. if re-decorations or adaptations are needed to your siblings property for her to live there, very reasonable for her to pay for those), on utilities and other household bills (reasonable for her to make a contribution to these I would have thought), food and on socializing. It's fine also for her to make (generous) cash gifts on occasion to you and your sibling particularly if she's in the habit of doing so already. But I'm afraid I don't think she can simply off load all her capital onto you and then expect the state to pick up the bill for her care, even if she keeps say £100k back but gives away £200k I fear that would be at risk of being seen as deprivation of assets...

Yes, my Dads home has 4 bandings for self funding based on increasing need. The LA do their own thing and their fees are topped up by reserved profits, not by current residents. At least at the moment they are. But this is probably quite rare.

It's also worth bearing in mind that there can be different fee scales within the same setting. So, for example, someone funded by the council will likely be paying less, as the council will negotiate reduced rates. Someone else paying for themselves will likely be quoted a higher rate. It's quite possible to stay in the same setting when you go from self funding to council funding. Of course this isn't always the case and there might still be a top up needed.

Then if its unaffordable the person is LA funded in a home they will pay for.

My understanding is my Dad is the responsibility of the local social services, although as his POA and daughter I can step in because he has funds to choose.

So, while he has savings and his house its not unaffordable. When he doesnt, weve picked a home where hopefully the LA will fund him (a quarter of the residents there are LA funded) so, again, not unaffordable.

Eyewatering, yes.

Nursing care, a very high staff ratio, not fancy activities.

Is it specialist care? Or amazing activities/facilities?

If you see what parents pay for childcare and then build in 24/7, accommodation, food, activities and equipment - it doesnt seem so bad.

The cost is the fact its 24/7/365. It adds up.

My Dads towards higher needs. He has 2 carers for morning/bedtimes and showering. Help to mobilse (usually a wheelchair). Two hourly night checks. Fluid records. Regular catheter changes for blockages. And all manner of other stuff due to poor communication ability and lack of capacity. On top of other stuff!

I try and think of it as good value for money. Especially as this level of care broke me and I was the last option.before a home

My DM’s is £2700 per week.

My Dads care home is currently £5k a month. At Level 3 of 4 need, so it can go higher.

The rates went up almost 10 percent last April due to cost increases, mainly the wages because they offer a minimum thats based on a percentage higher than NMW and NMW and NI.costs increased significantly.

Your DM should claim attendance allowance, it is not means tested

How much is a piece of string. It’s unclear because it depends on what care and for how long. 🤷‍♀️

It depends on where you live.

There are hardly any council care homes these days. Most are privately run.

OP, budget for £5k a month. More if you want the bells and whistles homes with no state funded residents.

Council care homes are shocking. You want to avoid them.

It depends, sometimes they can stay and it’s funded and sometimes they are moved. I’ve know both scenarios to happen.

Things will be so much easier if you do get health POA.

Seconding a Care Annuity.

My DM was quote £140k which covers half her fees. The other half is paid by a combination of her state and a small private pension.

See a financial advisor and look at buying a care annuity.