The rules around care can feel confusing, and the costs can vary depending on the type of support needed. The good news is that there are options and understanding them early can help you make informed choices in your own time.
For some families, this might mean checking what support may be available. For others, it could mean looking at how savings, pensions, property or other assets could help meet future care costs in a practical and sustainable way.
At Dafferns Wealth, we help families explore these questions in a supportive and informed way – our independent financial advisers explain all the options in plain English so you, and your family, have all you need to decide what you wish to do. We also work alongside specialist colleagues in our sister companies, to make sure both the financial and legal side of planning are properly considered.
Seven helpful things you can do now
- Start the conversation early. Talk with your family about your wishes, the type of support you would want, and who you trust to help make decisions if needed. Or, if you are in the position of helping an elderly relative, chat with them about their needs.
- Understand what care might cost. Costs vary depending on where you live and the level of care required, so it helps to get a realistic picture rather than rely on guesswork.
- Check what support may be available. In some cases, help may be available through your local authority, Attendance Allowance, or NHS Continuing Healthcare, depending on your needs and circumstances.
- Review your income and savings. Looking at pensions, savings and investments together can help you see what may already be available to support future care costs. Look to see if existing assets can be arranged more efficiently to help produce income towards a care funding gap.
- Think about your home and other assets. For some people, property may form part of the plan. There can also be options such as deferred payment arrangements, depending on individual circumstances.
- Put the right legal documents in place. A Lasting Power of Attorney can be an important part of planning, so trusted people can act for you if needed.
- Take advice before making big decisions. Care planning is personal, and the right approach depends on your health, family situation, finances and long-term goals.
There is no single answer that works for everyone. In some cases, the right plan may involve using existing income more effectively. In others, it may involve specialist solutions designed to help cover care costs while bringing more certainty to the future.
For many families, peace of mind comes from having a plan in place before care is urgently needed. If this is something you have been meaning to look into, we are here to talk it through and help you understand what may be possible for you and your family.
Sources and further reading
Paying for a care home (residential care costs explained) | Age UK
Ways to pay care home fees | MoneyHelper
Care home costs across the UK explained – Which?
Disclaimer: information is based on publicly available data and government announcements at the time of writing (May 2026) and may be subject to change.