New research with local authorities by advice charity Independent Age has found uncertainty and concern among councils about their responsibilities to monitor care home top-up fees under the new Care Act. The fees are paid by relatives to supplement the care of loved ones in care homes but Care Minister, Norman Lamb, said recently he feared some care homes were „exploiting‟ the fees and using them to subsidise basic levels of care.
Independent Age has conducted in-depth interviews with a sample of 13 local authorities in England.
The key findings highlight:
- Uncertainty about the knock on effect of the Care Act on the payment of top-up fees.
- A lack of awareness from local authorities about whether family members can really afford to pay a top-up fee.
- An awareness by local authorities that families are increasingly worried about paying top-up fees.
- Challenges faced by local authorities in monitoring and managing the extent of top-up fee arrangements in their area.
- Wide variations in practice when councils arrange top-up fees.
Care home top-up fees are meant to allow relatives of council-funded care residents to pay extra for a care home place. 54,000 residents have their fees „topped up‟. Some families choose to pay more to have a better room or facilities for their family member. However thousands of families of the poorest older people are asked to top-up the care costs without ever realising that it‟s unnecessary and that it‟s the responsibility of the council to fully fund the place.
Janet Morrison, Chief Executive of Independent Age, said:
“We believe local authorities must review all existing agreements with people who pay top-ups. They should check these payments are genuinely sustainable and make sure care homes do the same. Families need much more information and advice when thinking about placing their loved one in a care home, whilst care workers should also be better trained to help support the decision”.
Notes to Editors:
Independent Age‟s research with 13 local authorities in England was carried out on a confidential basis between May and June 2014. http://www.independentage.org/campaigning/
Norman Lamb, the Care Minister, raised concerns in Parliament on the issue of care home top-up fees on 22 July 2014: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201415/cmhansrd/cm14072 2/halltext/140722h0001.htm#14072250000002
The Independent Age End the Secret Subsidy campaign revealed that around three-quarters of councils are failing to protect families from paying unnecessary top-up fees for the care of elderly relatives. http://www.independentage.org/campaigning/secret-subsidy Paul Burstow MP, the former Care Minister proposed Early Day Motion 152 on Care Home top-up fees on 19 June 2014. It currently has 37 signatories. http://www.parliament.uk/edm/2014-15/152
For more information contact:
Clare Thorp
Head of Media and PR
T 020 7605 4252
M 07525 767521
E clare.thorp@independentage.org