More than half of people are underestimating care-home costs by around £12,000 a year, new research has revealed.
A survey by Which? found one in ten people underestimated the true cost of a private nursing-home place in their region by as much as £39,000 a year.
Which? managing director of public markets, Alex Hayman, said: ‘The care system can be confusing and daunting, and must often be navigated at a time of great stress for older people and their families. That’s why it’s vital that people have access to tools and resources to help them plan for the future.’
The Local Government Association (LGA) said the research highlights the need to raise the awareness of the cost of care with the public.
‘If we are to truly tackle adult social care, we must aspire to social care having a similar ‘national treasure’ status as the NHS, with similar levels of awareness and understanding about what social care is and why it matters,’ said Cllr Ian Hudspeth, chairman of the LGA’s Community Wellbeing Board.
‘With low public awareness of social care and people’s preparedness for how to pay for it, it is more important than ever that the Government get on and publish their green paper, start a massive campaign to raise awareness of what social care is and don’t duck the big issues on funding. We need bold solutions and we need them now.’
