Information & advice

This factsheet explains how the local authority charging rules for a temporary stay in a care home differ from those for permanent care. A more detailed account of the charging rules can be found in Factsheet 10‚ Paying for residential care. This factsheet is aimed at individuals who are aged 60 and over.

Some people go into a care home on a temporary basis to give themselves or their carers a break‚ or while they are recuperating from an illness. Others enter a home temporarily for a ‘trial’ period to decide whether they want to live permanently in that home. Temporary care may also be part of an ‘intermediate care’ package‚ which should be free of charge.

The information in this factsheet is correct for the period April 2009 – March 2010. Capital limits and other figures are expected to increase again in April 2010‚ but rules and figures sometimes change during the year.

This factsheet describes the situation in England. There are differences in the rules for funding care in a care home in Northern Ireland‚ Scotland and Wales. Readers in these nations should contact their respective national Age Concern offices for information specific to where they live.

Further information

Please download Factsheet 58 from the top right of this screen for detailed information.

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