Care Home Guide: Contracts and paying for your own care

Self-funding a care home placement

This guide aims to help you understand the decisions you will need to make if you are funding your own care. It is important to be aware of what could happen if your funding runs out in the future as this could influence which care home you choose to live in.

If you have more than £35,500 in savings and capital, you will need to pay your own care home ‘hotel’ fees. If your savings and capital total more than £22,000 but less than £35,500, a financial assessment will tell you how much you need to pay.

Regardless of your savings and capital, your local authority will pay for any personal or nursing care they assess you as needing. You will need to ask for a care needs assessment so they can confirm whether you need either or both types of care. They can also help you to find a place in a care home if you would like them to, or a list of potentiall suitable options.

The care home contract

When you agree to move into a care home, you should receive a contract. A care home contract is usually called a residency agreement. It is different to the type of contract you would have if you rented a flat or house; your rights within it are from consumer law, not housing law.

The information you are given should be clear and easy for you to understand. You should have the opportunity to take a copy away to read before you are asked sign it. This is an important decision about your future; get advice before you sign if you don’t understand the contract’s terms and conditions.

If you would like further advice, you can call the Age Scotland helpline on 0800 12 44 222.