Care Necessities Limited

16/04/2026

What happens if the care home you choose costs more than the Local Authority will pay?

This is where many families first hear about top-up fees.

🟦 Care Necessities Bitesize Guide #9
Local Authority Funding & Third-Party Top-Up Fees

💡 If someone is eligible for Local Authority funding, the Local Authority must offer at least one suitable care home that can meet their needs within their budget.

👉 In other words:

The placement should be funded entirely by the Local Authority, with a contribution from the person receiving care based on their assessed income — with no top-up required.

💬 However, families are often presented with other care home options that may be more expensive.

👉 If a more expensive home is chosen, a third-party top-up fee may be required.

💡 For example:

The Local Authority rate: £750 per week
Preferred care home: £900 per week

👉 The difference of £150 per week would need to be paid as a top-up

⚠️ Why is it called a third-party top-up?

👉 Because:

The financial assessment has already determined that the person receiving care does not have sufficient capital to pay for their care in full
The Local Authority must ensure that at least one suitable placement is available within budget

👉 In most cases, the top-up must therefore be paid by someone else — usually a family member.

⚠️ It is very important to consider affordability.

Top-up fees are an ongoing commitment.

💬 If they cannot be sustained, it may result in the person needing to move to a different care home — which can be highly disruptive once they have settled.

💡 Choosing a care home is not just about preference — it is also about long-term sustainability.

If you would like to talk through your situation, please feel free to get in touch — we’re here to help.

📞 01754 800551
📧 info@care-necessities.co.uk

👉 In our next Bitesize Guide:
Deferred Payment Agreements — do you have to sell the house to pay for care?

14/04/2026

Thinking about a care home — but not sure where to start?

This can be one of the most difficult decisions families face.

🟦 Care Necessities Bitesize Guide #8
Considering a Care Home — What Should You Think About?

💡 If care at home is becoming difficult, it may be time to consider whether a care home placement is appropriate.

👉 Before making any decisions, it’s important to think about:

Is a permanent placement needed — or would a short period of respite help?

In some cases, what is needed is not a long-term move, but a short break to relieve pressure on family carers.

💡 There are different types of care homes:

Residential care — support with daily living
Nursing care — includes support from registered nurses
Dual registered homes — can provide both

👉 It’s important to consider not only current needs, but also what may be required in the future.

A move can be disruptive, so choosing a home that can meet longer-term needs can help avoid further upheaval later.

💡 When looking at care homes, you may wish to:

👉 Check inspection reports on the
Care Quality Commission website

👉 Visit homes in person to get a feel for the environment

👉 Speak to staff about your loved one’s needs

👉 Ask whether they would be able to meet those needs now and going forward

💬 In some situations — particularly where someone is in hospital — a good care home may carry out their own assessment before confirming they can provide care.

💡 It is also important to discuss costs early on.

Care homes often charge different rates depending on the room:

Larger rooms
En-suite facilities
Views or outside space

👉 It’s worth considering what is necessary for your loved one.

For example, an en-suite room may not be needed if the person is unable to use those facilities.

⚠️ Thinking about long-term affordability is essential.

If someone is initially paying privately but may later require Local Authority support:

👉 Will the care home accept Local Authority funding?

Not all homes do — and this can become an issue later.

💬 Choosing a care home is not just about availability — it’s about finding the right environment, both now and in the future.

If you would like to talk through your situation, please feel free to get in touch — we’re here to help.

📞 01754 800551
📧 info@care-necessities.co.uk

👉 In our next Bitesize Guide:
We’ll explain Local Authority funding and third-party top-up fees.

12/04/2026

Who actually pays for care — and how is that decided?

This is one of the most common questions families ask, and the answer is not always straightforward.

🟦 Care Necessities Bitesize Guide #7
Paying for Care — How Does It Work?

💡 When someone needs care, the Local Authority will carry out a financial assessment.

👉 This looks at the finances of the person who needs care — not their spouse or wider family.

💬 The assessment considers:

Savings and capital
Income (such as pensions)
Property (in certain circumstances)

👉 The key threshold is:

If a person has more than £23,250 in available capital, they will usually be expected to pay for their care.

If they have less than £23,250, the Local Authority may assist — although the person will still need to contribute towards the cost of their care.

💡 It is important to understand how capital is calculated.

👉 If the person needing care is living at home, the value of their property will be disregarded for the purpose of assessing their capital.

👉 If a spouse or partner continues to live in the property, it will also be disregarded.

👉 Joint accounts are usually treated as 50% each.

👉 Any savings held solely in the spouse’s name are not included.

👵👴 Let’s take Betty and John…

They own their home, which is worth £300,000.

John has £30,000 in savings in his own name.

They also have a joint account with £50,000.

Betty has £10,000 in savings in her own name.

💡 In this situation:

👉 John’s capital would be assessed as:

£30,000 (his own savings)
£25,000 (his 50% share of the joint account)

👉 Total = £55,000

👉 Betty’s £10,000 is not included, as it is in her sole name.

👉 The property is disregarded because Betty continues to live there.

💬 Based on this, John would be expected to pay for his care in full.

💡 In many cases:

If someone is eligible for Local Authority support, the Local Authority may help arrange care
If someone is paying privately, they can usually choose their own care provider

⚠️ Every situation is different, and financial assessments can be complex.

💬 Understanding how this works early on can help avoid confusion and unexpected outcomes later.

If you would like to talk through your situation, please feel free to get in touch — we’re here to help.

📞 01754 800551
📧 info@care-necessities.co.uk

👉 In our next Bitesize Guide:
What to consider when looking at care home options.

09/04/2026

When care at home becomes difficult to manage, what should you do next?

This is a stage many families reach — and it can be hard to know where to start.

🟦 Care Necessities Bitesize Guide #6
When Care at Home Becomes Difficult — What Should You Do?

💡 If care needs are increasing, it may be appropriate to contact your Local Authority and request a Care Needs Assessment.

👉 This assessment:

Is free of charge
Is based on a person’s care needs (not their finances)
Helps identify what support may be required

💬 A social worker or assessor will usually look at:

Daily care needs
Mobility
Personal care
Safety and wellbeing
The level of support currently being provided

💡 The outcome of this assessment may include:

A package of care at home
Equipment or adaptations to support independence
A referral for an Occupational Therapy assessment
Or, in some cases, consideration of a care home placement

⚠️ It is important to remember:

During these assessments, it can be difficult to recall everything that is being done on a day-to-day basis.

💬 As mentioned in an earlier post, many families find it helpful to keep a simple care diary, noting:

The support being provided
How often help is needed
Any risks or challenges

👉 This can help ensure that a full and accurate picture of care needs is presented.

💡 The more detailed the information, the more appropriate the support plan is likely to be.

If you’re beginning to feel that care at home is becoming difficult, or you’re unsure how to start this process, please feel free to get in touch — we’re here to help.

📞 01754 800551
📧 info@care-necessities.co.uk

👉 In our next Bitesize Guide:
We’ll explain how care is paid for, including how financial assessments work.

07/04/2026

When care needs begin, what financial support may be available?

Many families are unaware that help may be available at this stage.

🟦 Care Necessities Bitesize Guide #5
Benefits & Financial Support — What You May Be Entitled To

💡 When care needs begin, it is important to consider whether any benefits may be available to help support those needs.

👉 One of the most common is Attendance Allowance.

💬 Attendance Allowance:

Is a non-means tested benefit
Is based on care needs, not savings or income
Is available to people over State Pension age

👉 It is paid at two different rates, depending on the level of support required.

💡 This can provide valuable financial support to help with the additional costs that often come with care needs.

👉 If someone is providing regular care, they may also be eligible for Carer’s Allowance.

💬 This is different from Attendance Allowance:

It is paid to the person providing care
It is subject to eligibility criteria, including income limits

⚠️ Many families miss out on benefits simply because they are unaware of what is available.

💡 It can also be a good time to undertake a wider benefits review, to identify whether there is anything else that may be claimed.

👵👴 Let’s take Betty and John…

Following John’s diagnosis, Betty begins providing care and support at home.

👉 At this stage, Attendance Allowance may be available to help support John’s care needs.

👉 Betty may also wish to explore whether she is eligible for Carer’s Allowance.

💬 Understanding what support is available early on can make a real difference.

If you would like to talk through your situation, or check what support may be available, please feel free to get in touch — we’re here to help.

📞 01754 800551
📧 info@care-necessities.co.uk

👉 In our next Bitesize Guide:
What to do when care at home becomes more difficult to manage.

06/04/2026

When should you start planning for care — now, or later?

It’s a question many families don’t think about until they have to.

🟦 Care Necessities Bitesize Guide #4
Planning Ahead — Understanding Your Options

💡 When it comes to care and funding, timing is very important.

👵👴 Let’s take Betty and John…

They own their home and have some savings. Everything feels manageable — so planning for the future doesn’t feel urgent.

💬 However, planning ahead is most effective before care needs arise.

👉 If steps are taken too late — for example, once someone already requires care — there is a risk that any financial arrangements may be viewed differently.

⚠️ In some cases, this could be considered a deprivation of assets.

This means that if assets or capital have been reduced or rearranged in order to avoid care fees, the Local Authority may still treat that person as if they still have those assets when carrying out a financial assessment.

💡 This is why early planning is so important.

👉 Planning ahead can:

Provide clarity and peace of mind
Avoid rushed decisions later
Help ensure arrangements reflect your wishes
Reduce the risk of complications when care is needed

💬 Many families face the same uncertainty, and there is no one-size-fits-all answer.

👉 You may wish to speak with your solicitor or financial adviser if you have any questions or concerns.

Alternatively, we work closely with legal and financial professionals across the country and would be happy to point you in the right direction if that would help.

If you would like to talk through your situation, please feel free to get in touch — we’re here to help.

📞 01754 800551
📧 info@care-necessities.co.uk

👉 In our next Bitesize Guide:
What financial support may be available when care needs begin.

05/04/2026

What happens if someone loses capacity — and no LPA is in place?

It’s a situation many families find themselves in — often unexpectedly.

🟦 Care Necessities Bitesize Guide #3
What Happens If There Is No Lasting Power of Attorney?

💡 In this situation, the usual next step is:

👉 Applying to the Court of Protection to become a Deputy

This is a legal process that allows someone to make decisions on behalf of another person.

⚖️ There are two types:

👉 Property & Financial Affairs Deputyship — managing money, bills and assets
👉 Health & Welfare Deputyship — care and medical decisions (much less commonly granted)

⚠️ It’s important to understand:

This process can take several months
It is more complex and costly than setting up an LPA
It can delay access to finances at a critical time

👵👴 Let’s take Betty and John…

If John has lost mental capacity and no LPA is in place, Betty would not automatically be able to manage his finances.

She may need to apply to the Court of Protection — which can take time and add additional stress during an already difficult period.

💬 In some situations:

If no one is able or willing to take on this role, a professional or the Local Authority may step in to manage financial matters.

💡 This is why many families choose to put an LPA in place early — to avoid this more complex process later.

If you’re unsure whether an LPA is in place, or what your options are, it may be worth looking into this sooner rather than later.

If you would like to talk through your situation, please feel free to get in touch — we’re here to help.

📞 01754 800551
📧 info@care-necessities.co.uk

👉 In our next Bitesize Guide:
Planning ahead — understanding your legal and financial options.

04/04/2026

Do you have a Lasting Power of Attorney in place?

It’s something many people have heard of…
but often don’t fully understand until it’s too late.

🟦 Care Necessities Bitesize Guide #2
Lasting Power of Attorney — More Important Than Many Realise

A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) allows someone you trust to make decisions on your behalf if you lose the ability to do so yourself.

There are two types:

👉 Health & Welfare — care, treatment, where you live
👉 Property & Financial Affairs — money, bills, assets

💡 There is an important difference:

A Health & Welfare LPA can only be used once a person has lost mental capacity.

A Property & Financial Affairs LPA can be used as soon as it is registered (with permission), allowing support with finances straight away.

⚠️ Without an LPA:

Not your spouse
Not “next of kin”
Not even your children

👉 Do NOT have automatic decision-making rights.

Instead, professionals involved in the person’s care will make decisions in their best interests.

This can include:

Care arrangements
Where someone lives
Medical treatment

👵👴 Let’s take Betty and John…

If John were to suffer a stroke and lose mental capacity, Betty would of course be involved in discussions.

However, without a Health & Welfare LPA, she would not have the legal authority to make final decisions about his care or where he should live.

Those decisions may be made by professionals who act in his best interests — but who may not fully know his wishes or what he would have chosen for himself.

💬 This is why putting an LPA in place is so important.

It allows you to choose someone who knows you well and can act as your voice.

⚠️ Important:

An LPA must be put in place before mental capacity is lost.

💡 Putting one in place early can:

Give you control
Reduce stress for your family
Avoid more complex processes later

If you would like to talk through your situation, please feel free to get in touch — we’re here to help.

📞 01754 800551
📧 info@care-necessities.co.uk

👉 In our next Bitesize Guide:
What happens if someone loses capacity and no LPA is in place?

03/04/2026

Understanding care and funding can feel overwhelming…

Many families find themselves suddenly having to make important decisions — often during already stressful and emotional times.

🟦 Care Necessities Bitesize Guide #1
Understanding Care & Funding — One Step at a Time

💡 That’s why we’re launching our Care Necessities Bitesize Guide.

A series of clear, practical posts designed to help you better understand how the care system works — and what options may be available to you or your loved ones.

👵👴 Let’s take Betty and John…

A couple who have lived independently for many years — like so many others.

💬 As care needs begin to change, families like Betty and John often find themselves navigating:

Unfamiliar systems
Difficult decisions
Important financial considerations

💡 This can be confusing, and at times overwhelming.

👉 Our aim is simple:

To provide clear, practical guidance to help you feel more informed, more prepared, and more confident about the road ahead.

💬 Throughout this series, we’ll use simple examples to help explain how things work in practice.

👉 In our next Bitesize Guide:
Lasting Power of Attorney — something many people assume they understand… but often don’t.

If you’re currently supporting a loved one, or beginning to explore care options, please feel free to follow along — this series is for you.

25/03/2026

✨ Helping a vulnerable person get the care they deserve ✨

We’re really pleased to share an outcome (shared anonymously to protect those involved).

Our team was asked to step in where there were growing concerns about an elderly gentleman living in a care home.

As part of our role, we:
🔍 Visited the care home in person
🔍 Observed his care, environment, and daily routine
🔍 Reviewed care records, medication charts, and care plans
🔍 Spoke with those involved in his care

We then produced detailed reports to the court appointed Deputy highlighting concerns around:

Personal care and dignity
Nutrition and hydration
Safety and risk (including falls)
Whether his needs were truly being met

💡 What happened next?

Using our findings, we supported the wider team in raising concerns and preparing for a meeting with the Local Authority.

Following that meeting, it was agreed that:
👉 A move to a new care home is in this gentleman's best interests

This is a hugely important outcome and will help ensure he receives safer, more appropriate care going forward 💙

👩‍⚖️ Why this matters

If something doesn’t feel right about a loved one’s care, it’s important to trust that instinct.

Having an experienced team who can:
✔️ Go into the care setting
✔️ Identify concerns properly
✔️ Provide experienced advocacy

…can make all the difference.

💬 If you’re worried about someone in care, we’re here to help.

📩 Get in touch for a confidential chat

03/01/2026

03/01/2026