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I wasn't prepared for how much it all costs

J
Janet
May 2, 2026
4 views
1 reply

Just got back from visiting the third care home this week. They're all quoting between £1200 and £1,800 a week. I knew it would be expensive but seeing the actual numbers has floored me.
Dad worked his whole life, has some savings and owns his house. From what I can tell that means he pays for everything himself until the money runs out. Is that really how it works? Has anyone been through the funding assessment process? I don't even know where to start.

1 Reply

C
CareHomeGuide Teamabout 2 hours ago

Hi Janet, yes that's broadly how it works. If your dad has assets above £23,250 (including his house in most cases) he'll be expected to fund his own care. Most families find the shock is less about the principle and more about nobody having explained it to them clearly beforehand.

The good news is there are options that aren't always obvious, NHS Continuing Healthcare, deferred payment agreements, and the distinction between care and accommodation costs are all worth understanding before you commit to anything.

We've written a guide that covers all of this in plain English: https://www.carehomeguide.uk/guides/how-to-pay-for-a-care-home
Worth a read before your next visit.

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