Whatever your political persuasion these seem to be the key points on Adult Social Care in the Labour and Conservative party Manifesto's.
Aligns means testing for care at home and permanent care means - removing property disregards. With three-quarters of people over the age of 65 owning their home and the average value of a property in England at £233,000 this means more people will become liable for more of their care costs.
Raises the upper funding level to £100’000 from £23’250, scrapping the lifetime cap on care costs which was to be introduced with part two of the Care Act 2014 in 2020.
Introduces Deferred Payment Agreements for domiciliary care which with nearly three times as many people getting help at home from their local council than in a care or nursing home will have significant implications but may provide for more genuine choice and promote a personalised approach to care and support but with a cost to the individual that can be deferred until after death.
Means tests winter fuel payment
Introduces a National Care Service (lifetime care cap, free end of life care and raised upper funding level). The lifetime cap on care costs was to be introduced in part two of the Care Act 2014 delayed from 2016 until 2020 but seemingly now ditched in the Conservative Manifesto and replaced with a higher upper funding level of £100’000 replacing the current £23’250.
Provides £8bn for Parliamentary term for Social Care including £1bn for the first year to end 15 minute calls, pay carers a living wage and travel time)
£30bn for the NHS and single commissioning of services for joined up NHS/Social Care
Increases Carers Allowance to match other earning replacement benefits