Planning for care

Care refers to the various services available to people who could benefit from assistance with looking after themselves, for example as a result of illness, disability or old age.

Care can be provided in a care home (residential care) or in your own home (domiciliary care).

There’s a lot to think about when planning for care including choosing the right type of care and paying for that care.

Social care is rarely free, and can be expensive. More often than not you’ll need to contribute to the cost of care and the amount you’ll pay will depend on the level of care needed and the amount of assets you have.

The MoneyHelper website (backed by the government) provides information and articles which cover how to arrange care and the different methods of paying for care.

You might also like to take a look at the PayingForCare website which provides help, information and guidance about long-term care. It also helps people who need regulated financial advice find specialist financial advisers.