Who pays for palliative care in nursing homes

When a loved one requires palliative care in a nursing home, understanding the financial implications can be daunting.

Palliative care focuses on providing comfort and dignity to individuals with serious illnesses, particularly at the end of life. It’s designed to address the physical, emotional, and psychological challenges faced by both the individual and their family. However, knowing who is responsible for covering the costs of this specialised care is an essential step in planning for long-term support.

The costs of palliative care in nursing homes depend on various factors, including the individual’s health condition, the services required, and their financial circumstances. In the UK, funding sources for palliative care can come from the NHS, local authorities, and private contributions.

Each of these options has its own eligibility criteria and coverage limits, making it important to understand what help is available and how to access it. This guide will explore who pays for palliative care in nursing homes and the funding options to help families make informed decisions during challenging times.

What is palliative care?

Palliative care is a specialised form of medical care focused on enhancing the quality of life for individuals living with severe, often terminal, illnesses. Its primary aim is not to cure the illness but to provide relief from symptoms, pain, and the stress that accompanies serious health conditions.

Unlike curative treatments, palliative care prioritises comfort and holistic wellbeing, addressing not only physical symptoms but also emotional, psychological, and spiritual needs.

In a nursing home setting, palliative care is an integral part of supporting residents with complex health conditions.

It may involve pain management to alleviate discomfort, counselling to support emotional resilience, and assistance with daily activities to maintain dignity and independence. The care is typically delivered by a multidisciplinary team, including doctors, nurses, therapists, and social workers, who collaborate to create a personalised plan tailored to the individual's unique needs and preferences. By focusing on quality of life, palliative care helps both individuals and their families navigate the challenges of serious illness with compassion and support.

To understand more about palliative care, check out our blog, ‘The 5 stages of palliative care.’

Who pays for palliative care in nursing homes?

The costs of palliative care in a nursing home depend on several factors, including the individual’s health condition, financial situation, and available funding schemes. In the UK, payment responsibilities are shared between public services, local authorities, and individuals. We explore this in more detail below.

NHS contribution

In some cases, palliative care in nursing homes is fully funded by the NHS under the NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) scheme. This scheme provides free care to individuals with significant ongoing healthcare needs, regardless of their financial means.

Eligibility for CHC funding is assessed through a detailed evaluation of an individual’s medical and care needs. Those with a primary health need related to a serious condition or terminal illness often qualify.

Those who are eligible can get the cost of nursing home fees, including medical care, accommodation, and personal support covered. It’s important to regularly review eligibility, as care needs may evolve over time.

Local authority contributions

For those who don’t qualify for CHC, funding may come from the local authority, which assesses an individual’s financial circumstances through means testing.

Local authorities consider the individual’s savings, income, and assets to determine their contribution as part of a financial assessment. If assets exceed a certain threshold (£23,250 in England), individuals may need to cover the costs themselves. It is important to note that funding may partially or fully cover care home fees, depending on the individual’s financial situation.

Self-funded care

Individuals who do not qualify for CHC or local authority support may need to pay for their care privately. This is known as self-funding.

The amount that you may pay for palliative care in a nursing home can vary widely, often ranging from £800 to £1,500 per week, depending on the location and level of care required.

Some families use personal savings, pensions, or investments to cover these expenses. Others may opt for private health insurance that includes end-of-life care provisions.

Charitable and non-profit support

Charitable organisations play a vital role in supplementing palliative care costs. Some charities, such as Macmillan Cancer Support or Marie Curie, provide free services like nursing care, emotional support, and financial advice. However, this depends on whether your conditions align with their specialisms.

These organisations often step in to fill gaps in funding, ensuring individuals receive high-quality care regardless of their financial situation.

Additional financial support

In addition to the above funding options, there are specific benefits and allowances available to help cover palliative care costs:

• Attendance Allowance: This benefit is available to individuals aged 65 or over who need help with personal care due to a disability or illness. Attendance Allowance can be used to offset nursing home expenses.
• Personal health budgets: In some cases, individuals can apply for a personal health budget through the NHS to have greater control over their care funding.

Guidance for families

Navigating the financial and emotional aspects of palliative care can be overwhelming. Therefore, if you are struggling to afford the cost of care, it is always a good idea to seek advice from care advisors, local authority representatives, or solicitors specialising in elder care to understand funding eligibility.

Autumna also has a number of resources and information for those who are paying for later life care. Through our partners such as The Society for Later Life Advice (SOLLA), you can get free advice on care fees, and the options that are available to you.

You can also call them on 0333 2020 454 for more information. Of course, it is always important to plan ahead for your future and start having those early discussions about care preferences and financial arrangements ahead of time for your own security and peace of mind.

Looking for a palliative care nursing home?

If you are looking for a nursing home that offers palliative care, Autumna can help. All you need to do is visit our online directory and enter your area. You can then search for ‘Palliative Care’ under the ‘Additional Filters’ section.

Alternatively, you can also fill out a short form and allow our friendly team to help you with your search. You can also call our team on 01892 335 330 for more information.