Ideally care would be free regardless of individual needs or financial background. Unfortunately, in reality things are a little less straightforward, with funding based on individual circumstances.

We believe that everyone has the right to a high standard of care, and some people in Orchard homes receive contributions from their Local Authority. In a nutshell, a Local Authority will contribute to the cost of care if an individual’s assets (their savings and the value of their home) are less than £21,000. There is a sliding scale of Local Authority contribution below this threshold.

This diagram should help you determine what you pay for:

The charges for each care home will vary according to the care provided. For specific fees, please see individual care home brochures. In an Orchard Care Home you will always be able to see exactly where your money is being spent with clear, itemised invoices. We welcome enquiries from everyone, irrespective of their financial situation.

Certain factors may complicate each particular case. To help you we have listed a few frequently asked questions.

The residential home I’m interested in costs £360 a week, but my Local Authority says it’s too expensive. Can I still move there?
The Local Authority will determine the amount they will contribute towards your care. So if they believe that a home charging £330 a week would suit your needs, they probably won’t pay any more. You will need to make up the difference.

My savings are £23,250, which means I must pay for accommodation and care myself. But what happens when that runs out?
When your savings fall to £21,000 you may be eligible for help. You will need to keep your Local Authority informed of your circumstances, so they know when their help will be needed.

I have very little money saved, but my house is worth £75,000. Will I have to pay for my care home immediately, before I even sell?
The value of your house will usually be disregarded for the first 12 weeks of your residence in a care home. Please contact your Local Authority for more details on this.

My husband will be going into a care home but I am staying in our own house. How will they work out what we need to pay?
If one member of a couple is going into a care home and the other is staying in their own house, the Local Authority will generally disregard the value of the home. An assessment will be made on any remaining capital before they decide on the level of contribution.

What the NHS will normally provide
Even if you are paying for your own fees, the NHS now makes a contribution to your nursing costs. Nursing Care is defined as the care you are assessed as needing from a registered nurse.

In England the NHS will pay a contribution towards the nursing part of your care that they determine needs to be provided by a registered nurse in a nursing home. The payment is £40, £87 or £139 per week, depending on the level of assesment, low, medium or high. This contribution applies if your care is paid privately or by a Local Authority. If you are paying your own fees, you will still have to pay for accomodation and personal care (such as bathing or help with dressing)

Where can I get more advice?
Paying for care is complex, and everyone's situation is different. You should seek advice about your own situation and here are some organisations that offer specialist help:

• Charities such as Age Concern (0808 808 6060), Help the Aged (0808 800 6565), and Counsel and Care (0845 300 7585)
• Your local Social Services Department
• the Department for Work Pensions (0800 99 1234)
• the Nursing Home Fees Agency (0800 99 88 33)
• idependant financial advisors (ring 0117 971 1177 for the names of local IFAs)