Why is the cost of Nursing Homes so High?

There is always a feeling that care homes charge a fortune for their services. A recent SAGA report suggested that the average cost of a care home in England is £540 a week - this appears to be a huge amount of money. A nursing home would cost around £100 a week more.

Lets look at these figures in more detail. That fee, £540 a week equates to £77.14 a night. I just attempted to book myself into the Premier Inn in Littlehampton tonight and, by co-incidence, the cost came to £77.00. Almost exactly the same price as a care home.

Or is it?

If I'd wanted to have dinner and breakfast the bill rises to £97. I don't want to fast at lunchtime so let's say that's another £5 and then another £3 for a cup of tea and a piece of cake in the afternoon.

I guess I'm going to need my clothes washed from time to time - just for the benefit of other residents - let's say another £10 a week for that.

So I've now found that to stay in a modest hotel and receive similar services to those I might have had in a care home is working out at £747 a week; and that's before I've had any care at all.

So if I need someone to help me get up in the morning that would be extra. Or put me to bed at night; extra. Or I need help with a bath or help with medication etc; that will all be extra. I'll also need to pay extra for outings and entertainment - all included by most good care homes.

When compared to other options suddenly the cost of nursing homes or care homes looks remarkably good value.

Posted in The carefeesadvice Blog

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