Money

Retirement

Cost of long-term care 'to double in 20 years'

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Research by Saga has revealed that the future average cost of a four-year stay in a care home could double from £112,312 to £223,476* in the next two decades

This figure is based on today's costs increased by inflation (2.5 per cent), combined with increasing care home fees (3.5 per cent).

Few people really understand the cost of care, yet it could be the biggest financial burden many of us will ever face, when you consider that the average cost of a house today is £181,810**** - which represents just three years' care each for a couple.

Figures*** show that 17% of people aged 85-plus are in long-term care. With life expectancy increasing, on average a male aged 60 today is expected to live for a further 26 years and a female another 29 years**. This indicates that more of us will be likely to require care in the future.

Andrew Goodsell, Chief Executive, Saga Group Ltd commented: "Those faced with funding care now will already know the extent of that financial burden. However, preparing for the future cost of care is an issue few people want to consider.

"With the cost of funding care expected to increase consistently above inflation, it's critical that those already paying for care, or those planning for the future, ensure they take advice from a fully qualified adviser."

Saga believe that many people paying for care are not taking advice from appropriately qualified advisers and could therefore be missing out on state benefits, or losing money by not considering the full range of options available.

While this may seem a simple oversight, the consequences could be devastating, with loved ones facing the trauma of having to be moved from the care home they are settled in when the money runs out.

The Financial Services Authority has stipulated that all financial advisers who provide advice on care funding should have passed the CF8 qualification (Certificate in Financial Planning and Long-Term Care Insurance) to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the complexities of care funding. Saga's care-funding advisers are all qualified to a minimum of CF8.

* Forecast commissioned by Laing & Buisson November 2007 exclusively for Saga

** Government Actuaries 'Cohort expectations of life', based on mortality rates from 2004

*** Laing & Buisson 'Care of elderly people – UK market survey 2006'

**** Nationwide UK house prices

 

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