Elderly Care Fees Decided by postcode lottery

Vast differences in the cost of long-term care for the elderly across the UK's regions have been revealed. The average cost of nursing care in the Northern Ireland is £298 per week less than Buckinghamshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Berkshire and Middlesex, resulting in a massive difference of £15,496 per year.

Northern Ireland is also the cheapest region for residential care at an average £402 per week while London is the most expensive, at £567 per week. And, contrary to popular misconceptions, residential care in Scotland is not free; its average cost is £496 per week, according to independent research commissioned by Saga*.

Alex Edmans, Saga Care Funding Advice Service explains, "After purchasing property, long-term care is likely to be the biggest expenditure in someone's lifetime. However, unlike buying a property, the cost of care is something particularly difficult to plan for, especially when people are faced with such enormous regional differences. This makes it vital to seek advice if you find yourself in these circumstances. With the right advice however this frequently underestimated cost need not financially ruin someone's estate and any potential future inheritance."

In a nationwide survey** of people's attitudes towards long term care only a tiny fraction (5%) thought their parents would be able to afford long term care without having to sell their house or use their savings. And a quarter expected that their parents would have to live with them or another relative rather than in a residential home due to the cost.

As Alex Edmans says, " Arranging care for a loved one is always a very stressful and emotional time, without the additional shock usually involved when families discover just how much the care is likely to cost. Getting specialist advice in this area when care is required can really help to reduce this burden and help you to reach financial decisions that you can feel comfortable with."

The research concludes that while long-term care is not something that people are inclined to discuss with their parents or grandparents, it's important for people to seek advice and start the conversation with their family as early as possible. .

For more information visit www.saga.co.uk/money-shop/care-funding

For those looking to arrange care for themselves or a relative, Saga also offer a free guide called "Making Sense of Paying for Care". Call 0800 056 6101


*Saga commissioned the Cost of Care report from Laing & Buisson, the leading provider of market intelligence on the long-term care industry. Figures are based on fees reported by 1,644 of the 11,878 registered private and voluntary care homes for older people in the UK responding to Laing & Buisson's survey between April and June 2008, plus minimum and maximum fee rates contained in inspection reports published by the Commission for Social Care Inspection in England

**Opinium Research LLP carried out an online poll of 2209 British adults between 17th and 21st July 2008. Results have been weighted to nationally representative criteria.