Care in the Community is your home at risk?

The introduction of the National Heath Service and Community Care Acts 1990 has considerable implications for the family, particularly in the funding of care services. During your lifetime the Social Services could take 100 per cent of your assets in excess of £12,750 to fund the cost of any care you require.

 Statistics show that one in five people over the age of 60 and one in three over the age of 75 require some form of community care, the most expensive being residential care and home help.

Section 40 of the Community Care Act allows anybody to request an assessment of medical needs, after which the local authority have the right to assess the ability to pay for the care determined. This financial assessment takes into consideration all forms of income and capital assets (including the home in which you live).  All joint assets held are considered to be owned 50/50.

The cost of care can vary from one local authority to another but is typically between £8 and £20 per hour.

Local Authorities have the legal right to effect a charge on any property without the owners consent, permission or prior notification and can even take back assets gifted several years before if they can prove that the purpose of the gift was to avoid paying for care.

There are things you can do to reduce your exposure and protect your home
SEE THE "SEVERANCE OF TENANCY" SECTION

The introduction of the National Heath Service and Community Care Acts 1990 has considerable implications for the family, particularly in the funding of care services.

Local Authorities have the legal right to effect a charge on any property without the owners consent, permission or prior notification and can even take back assets gifted several years before if they can prove that the purpose of the gift was to avoid paying for care.

There are things you can do to reduce your exposure and protect your home.

However, it is vital that anyone concerned about the effects of the Community Care Act seek professional advice as soon as possible. There may be plenty of life in you yet, but accidents and illness have absolutely no respect for age.

IT MAKES SENSE TO MAKE A WILL