MAKING sure you choose the right care home to meet your needs should receive your careful consideration. Some older people may think you have to go into a home designated by your local authority. But that could not be further from the truth. In this section we explain the procedure to select the best care home for you…

Your Right To Choose

YOUR local authority may recommend care home accommodation for you after conducting a needs assessment. To qualify for a care home placement, your assessed needs must satisfy the local Fair Access to Care Services criteria.

AN INCREASING number of people are unlocking the capital in their homes by taking out Equity Release schemes. But they come with a minefield of risks and potential problems. In this section we outline the pros and cons of Equity Release…

What Is It?:
EQUITY Release means the various methods that older people can use to release capital and generate income from their homes, either by a loan secured on their property, or by selling their home but continuing t o live in it.

IN THIS section we examine some of the state benefits that are available before you reach State Pension age…

Types Of Benefit

SOME state benefits can be claimed as an individual. These are usually based on your national insurance contribution record and are referred to as contributory benefits. Your entitlement to these is not affected by your partner’s circumstances; nor is it affected by savings, capital or other income.But some other state benefits are means-tested. This means you have to claim as a couple if you live with a partner. A partner means your husband, wife, civil partner or someone you live with as part of a couple. Your savings and income are added together when calculating if you’re entitled to benefit.

HOW to pay for residential care is a complex area as well as being a political hot potato. It is also a worrying topic for older people who may need to go into a care home, but have no idea how it is going to be funded. In this section we try to navigate the financial maze surrounding paying for residential care…

Help With Costs (Non Means-Tested)

THE majority of people are expected to contribute to the cost of their care home accommodation from their own income and capital. This is calculated via a means test if the local council is involved, but there are some non means-tested exceptions… 

THE funding of residential care is a thorny topic and the subject of much controversy. Who pays for treatment – the NHS or local authorities – is a perennial debate that raises the hackles of politicians and campaigners alike. Although big changes have occurred in recent years, it is still a complex subject and here we try to untangle the red tape to outline the latest advice and information…

GETTING around on public transport when you are older may seem a little daunting. But it could also prove liberating – and save you money – if you are willing to give buses and trains a go. Discounts exist for many travel services, while there is also a lot of help with other mobility services. Here we explain more…

Buses

THOSE aged 60 and over and those who are “eligible disabled” get a free bus pass, which entitles them to free travel on local buses anywhere in England during off-peak hours. Off-peak is classified as between 9.30am and 11pm, Monday to Friday, and all day at weekends and public holidays.

THE STATE Pension (SP), formerly known as the retirement pension, aims to give people a regular income and is based on National Insurance contributions.

 The full weekly rates for the basic State Pension are £97.65 for a single person and £58.50 for a wife based on her husband’s contributions.

The other types of State Pension include the Additional State Pension, the Graduated Pension and Over-80s Pension. They are based on National Insurance contributions and the age that you can claim it is 60 for women and 65 for men.

FOR many people, a retirement flat or bungalow is an attractive option. Whether it is the company of other residents or the added security of a warden, it can prove an ideal alternative to going into a care home. In this section we outline the different retirement housing options available to you…

What Is It?

RETIREMENT housing is aimed specifically for older people. Also known as sheltered housing, it tends to come in schemes of about 20 to 40 flats or bungalows. There is usually an alarm system and the majority of schemes have a warden. There are normally shared facilities such as a communal lo unge, garden and laundry. Meals aren’t provided unless it is in extra care sheltered housing.

IT is never too late to adopt a healthier lifestyle and you’ll certainly feel the benefit whatever your age. Eating well and exercising regularly can also improve some conditions and prevent the onset of others. In this section we outline some of the ways you can stay fit and healthy in later life…

Physical Fitness

IT is crucial you stay as active as possible as this can reduce the risk of a range of age-associated conditions. These include heart disease, diabetes and strokes. Exercise can improve circulation and will a lso help with mobility, balance, flexibility and co-ordination. It should help you sleep too. Feelings of anxiety can also be reduced by exercising frequently. This doesn’t need to be a tough gym workout. It could be a brisk walk in the fresh air (some areas have council-run walking groups).