March 2023 - Altogether Care

What Next for Care Costs?

Posted on 15 March 202314 March 2023 by Access Performance

Many people worry about the potential cost of personal care as they get older. Some are concerned that paying for the care they need will eat away their savings and assets and leave nothing to pass on to their children. Others worry whether they’ll be able to afford care costs at all.

While there are very real issues around the cost of care, sometimes the future isn’t as bleak as people assume. This quick summary of care cost funding will make sure you have accurate, up-to-date information for your financial planning.

Care Cost Cap

Before diving into the details we should look at the care cost cap that is scheduled to come into force in October 2023. The cap aims to ensure that no individual will pay more than £86,000 for personal care (either residential or care at home) during their lifetime.

A couple of points to note. Care costs incurred before the cap is introduced won’t count towards the total. Also, the cap doesn’t apply to the accommodation element of care home fees.

Care Needs Assessment

The process starts with a care needs assessment carried out by your local council. This is a formal statement of the personal care you need. Care not included in your assessment probably won’t be included in the care cost cap.

Means Testing

The financial support you get will be affected by your income, savings and other financial assets. Your property is included in the calculation only if you are going into residential care, and only then if you don’t have a spouse or dependent relative still living in your home. It may be possible to enter into an agreement with your local authority so that they recover your care costs from your estate after you die.

If you have capital worth more than £23,250 you will be expected to pay for all of your care costs (the upper capital limit). If your capital adds up to less than £14,250 the council will pay for your care costs. Between these two figures there’s a sliding scale for your contribution.

It’s planned for the upper capital limit to increase to £100,000 in 2025.

Hopefully this has helped to clarify the situation. If you have any questions about funding or any other aspect of care, please call Altogether Care on 01305 300 161, email contact@altogethercare.co.uk, visit our website or use our care calculator.

Reflecting on our Progress Towards Gender Equality on International Women’s Day 2023

Posted on 8 March 20237 March 2023 by Access Performance

Altogether Care has a strong commitment to promoting gender equality and encouraging internal promotions. The care sector is often a female-dominated field due to a number of reasons.

It’s encouraging to know that 75% of Altogether Care managers are internal promotions, and that at Altogether Care we are proud to have such a strong team of women in crucial roles throughout the business. We value diversity and take proactive steps to promote gender equality in the workplace.

Promoting gender equality is not only the right thing to do, but it also has tangible benefits for businesses, including increased productivity, improved employee engagement and retention, and enhanced reputation and brand image. By creating a workplace culture that values diversity and inclusivity, ATC is not only creating a positive work environment for employees, but also positioning itself for long-term success and growth.

As we celebrate International Women’s Day and the theme of equality, it’s important to continue to promote gender equality and to advocate for women’s rights and empowerment both in the workplace and in society more broadly.

Gender equality is an important issue that affects not only individual women, but also the wider community and society as a whole. By promoting gender equality in the workplace, ATC is setting an example for other companies and contributing to a more equal and just society. It’s important to continue to monitor and address any gender imbalances within the company, and to ensure that women are given equal opportunities to advance and succeed in their careers. By doing so, ATC can help to create a more inclusive and diverse workplace culture that benefits everyone.

International Women’s Day is an important opportunity to reflect on the progress that has been made towards gender equality, while also recognising the ongoing challenges and work that still needs to be done. By continuing to prioritise gender equality and inclusion, ATC can help to create a more equitable and just society for all.

Steepleton Manor Care Home Celebrates Valentine’s Day

Posted on 2 March 20236 March 2023 by Access Performance

Steepleton Manor’s 2023 Valentine’s Day was absolutely full of love and fun was had by all in attendance.

The residents and staff spent some time working on arts and crafts to create some things for display and to gift to one another. They decorated the activity room with hearts made out of red tissue papers and pink card and wrapping paper that had all been laminated to last.

One of our residents made a card for her husband who has dementia, who was delighted to receive a homemade card from his wife as he hadn’t received one in a long time. It was a special moment as he recognised what the card his wife had made was and what it was for on such a special day. Another resident also made a card for his partner who came to visit that day. She was also very happy receiving a Valentine’s Day card from someone so special.

The residents enjoyed a chocolate fountain with plenty of skewers of fruit, marshmallows, biscuits, and small pieces of cake. The residents particularly enjoyed getting hands on with the task by helping staff to break up all the chocolate. Plenty of mess was made and fun was had by all.

The day ended with everyone in high spirits and delighted to have had such an action packed day of love and chocolate.