How much to save for future care?

MultiFucktional · 15/10/2025 14:23

DF is in a care home with Dementia.
The fees are £1,400 -£1,750 per week, depending on how severe the needs are. Some are at the stage of being spoon fed with continence issues for example so, presumably, they pay top end.
DF can wash, dress, feed himself so isn’t top end, but it’s nursing care, rather than care home due to the dementia.

MasterMind1982 · 15/10/2025 14:24

Let their assets pay for it? Let them enjoy their life, once the assets run dry then the local authority will pay. Tell them to enjoy their life.

MultiFucktional · 15/10/2025 14:28

They can enjoy their life Mastermind….it’s the contributing to the siblings household finances that may cause an issue, especially if it’s seen as an excessive contribution over what it would cost to house/feed her.

averythinline · 15/10/2025 14:53

Sibling should work out rent for them to pay as they will still have housing costs and bills and food etc... if they need any care they should pay it..

Does anyone have POA for finance/health they are separate should do that sooner than later..

ComfortFoodCafe · 15/10/2025 14:58

long as she doesnt want a all dancing, singing care home id tell her to go nuts & spend the lot. The council will pick up the bill but it wont be as nice as the ones you pay for yourself.

Original poster

noworklifebalance · 15/10/2025 15:04

Thank you
Have POA for finance but not health but will discuss with them.
Would love for them to spend the lot but have read that sudden, large expenditure can look like you are intentionally depreciating assets and so the council can still expect you to pay as if you still had the money. Not sure that is enforced!

OP posts:

Original poster

noworklifebalance · 15/10/2025 15:07

What happens when the money runs out? PP’s father’s fees are almost £100k/annum. They won’t be able to afford that if they need care for over a year or two.
Do they get moved to a council run care home?

OP posts:

ThisRoseHiker · 15/10/2025 15:09

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

stayathomegardener · 15/10/2025 15:20

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.

Original poster

noworklifebalance · 15/10/2025 16:16

Thank you both - never heard of care annuity. Between the four of us (parent, my siblings and me), we need to go through finances and meet with an advisor.

OP posts:

YourPeppyAmberTraybake · 15/10/2025 16:18

noworklifebalance · 15/10/2025 15:04

Thank you
Have POA for finance but not health but will discuss with them.
Would love for them to spend the lot but have read that sudden, large expenditure can look like you are intentionally depreciating assets and so the council can still expect you to pay as if you still had the money. Not sure that is enforced!

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

YourPeppyAmberTraybake · 15/10/2025 16:20

noworklifebalance · 15/10/2025 15:07

What happens when the money runs out? PP’s father’s fees are almost £100k/annum. They won’t be able to afford that if they need care for over a year or two.
Do they get moved to a council run care home?

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

ChilliMochaCoco · 15/10/2025 16:21

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

everyoldsock · 15/10/2025 16:34

ChilliMochaCoco · 15/10/2025 16:21

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

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.

YourPeppyAmberTraybake · 15/10/2025 16:35

It depends on where you live.

Boomer55 · 15/10/2025 16:36

noworklifebalance · 15/10/2025 13:44

I am trying to help my elderly parent plan for future care needs, which they are likely to need. At the moment they are generally independent but have signs of early dementia.
They are looking to sell their home and move in with my sibling (everyone is on board with the plan). No idea how much they will get from the sale as the house is quite dated. We don’t want to be accused of depreciating assets but equally want her to enjoy her life and contribute to my siblings household.

What is a ball park reasonable amount to set aside such that a good effort has been made to save for care - obviously not knowing how long and how much care will be needed?

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

Remembertheplan · 15/10/2025 16:36

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

Navigatinglife100 · 15/10/2025 16:44

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.

Original poster

noworklifebalance · 15/10/2025 16:47

Boomer55 · 15/10/2025 16:36

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

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I acknowledged that in my OP.
PPs have given useful advice in terms of ball park costs per month, care annuity, allowances and other practical advice.

OP posts:

Original poster

noworklifebalance · 15/10/2025 16:49

everyoldsock · 15/10/2025 16:34

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.

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Wow.
and also to @Navigatinglife100
That is a a huge amount. I can understand how it costs that much, and factoring in profit, but wow.

OP posts:

YourPeppyAmberTraybake · 15/10/2025 16:52

noworklifebalance · 15/10/2025 16:49

Wow.
and also to @Navigatinglife100
That is a a huge amount. I can understand how it costs that much, and factoring in profit, but wow.

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My DM’s is £2700 per week.

Navigatinglife100 · 15/10/2025 16:58

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

Navigatinglife100 · 15/10/2025 16:59

YourPeppyAmberTraybake · 15/10/2025 16:52

My DM’s is £2700 per week.

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Is it specialist care? Or amazing activities/facilities?

Original poster

noworklifebalance · 15/10/2025 17:04

Navigatinglife100 · 15/10/2025 16:58

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

Totally understand how it adds up, just unaffordable for most people and I am trying to get my head round how to manage it if/when the time comes.

OP posts:

YourPeppyAmberTraybake · 15/10/2025 17:05

Navigatinglife100 · 15/10/2025 16:59

Is it specialist care? Or amazing activities/facilities?

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