Research Exposes Regional Knowledge Gap On Care In Later Life

A new YouGov poll shows 64% of adults in the Yorkshire and Humber region are not saving for future care home fees and have no plans to – the highest proportion of any UK region.

Commissioned by leading national law firm Irwin Mitchell, the survey reveals a huge care home knowledge gap. 69% admit they don’t know the average cost of a care home and a further 62% think costs are met by selling your home – also more than any UK region.

A string of care home scandals in the North West saw that region top the poll for those who would seek legal advice on a care home contract; while more adults in the South East know the cost of a care home than anywhere else in England. Yorkshire seems to be missing the message - a fact that applies in the region’s big cities too.

In Sheffield, 56% of adults are not saving for care home fees and not planning to; while 51% expect their children to pick up the tab. Leeds tops the poll for saving for future care home fees, but even here 71% admit they don’t know the cost. Adults estimate the cost at £635 per week, when the regional figure is £825, with fees rising 10.9% in the past 12 months.

The findings come in the wake of widely reported concerns over delays to the government’s long awaited green paper on social care. Due in summer 2017, the passing of the extended April 2019 deadline has led the absence of the report to be described as a ‘national scandal’.

The Yorkshire and Humber region is in the top three of poorly performing care homes together with the North West and the South East.

Expert Opinion

“Whatever the outcome of the green paper, we are all likely to be expected to contribute more to later life care costs but over three fifths in Yorkshire and Humber aren’t saving for the eventuality and what’s more, don’t plan to.

“There is a knowledge gap over everything from the true cost of care and how it is funded, to simple things like seeking advice. Given government policy on the topic is in limbo, it should come as no surprise many in our region appear to be in the same boat.

“Future care planning hints at mortality and, like making a will, it’s not a topic anyone likes to face. However, given care home abuse scandals coupled with the looming crisis in care funding, it’s an issue neither politicians nor public can afford to ignore much longer.” Gillian Coverley - National Head of Partnerships, Wills & Probate