PensionsNov 20 2019

How clients needing care can get financial help

  • Identify the ways in which elderly or disabled persons can get state funding
  • Identify the different types of state benefits
  • Describe the benefits of NHS continuing healthcare
  • Identify the ways in which elderly or disabled persons can get state funding
  • Identify the different types of state benefits
  • Describe the benefits of NHS continuing healthcare
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CPD
Approx.30min
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CPD
Approx.30min
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CPD
Approx.30min
How clients needing care can get financial help
  • Terminal illness or rapidly deteriorating condition needing complex medical supervision
  • Unpredictable conditions where there are risks to health if care is not provided at the right time.

The care can be provided in whatever setting a patient chooses.  

That could mean in a hospital, care home or at home.  

If care is provided in a hospital or care home, things like food will be normally provided but those choosing care at home provide their own food.

Unlike local authority care, the patient can use their own funds to top up the level of care provided by the NHS.  Even if the care is in a hospital or care home, they could choose for example to have a private room or a more expensive care home.

If a client has a range of medical problems, for example high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol, these conditions can interact and require the intervention of medical professionals, in which case NHS continuing healthcare should be considered. 

One area which often presents difficulty when assessing whether someone qualifies for NHS continuing healthcare is when a patient has dementia.  

While a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or dementia does not automatically qualify someone for NHS continuing healthcare, if they have been diagnosed with these diseases and the client - or more typically, the client’s family - are looking for a way to fund care the adviser should make sure that it is something that has been explored, and get them to take advice from an Alzheimer’s charity. 

Often Alzheimer’s patients exhibit challenging behaviours and resist treatment.  

They are more susceptible to pressure sores because they are immobile for long periods.  They may be at increased risk of falls. In these cases the funding is more likely to be available.

If the client is already in receipt of the AA, DLA or PIPs, these benefits will cease while they are receiving long term NHS continuing care.   

Although the client may be entitled to NHS care, they may still require an annuity, or to release equity to provide “extras”. 

NHS continuing healthcare is notoriously difficult to get.  

Because it costs the NHS so much, horror stories abound about the obstacles being put in people’s way to put them off claiming.    

Nevertheless, advisers should be aware that people with complex health needs probably should be claiming from the NHS and consequently their additional financial needs will be greatly reduced. 

NHS funded nursing care contribution

If a client is unable to get NHS continuing healthcare, but still has nursing needs, they may be entitled to the NHS Nursing Care Contribution.  

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