Published: 23/06/2026 By Oliver O'Brien
When people first raise long-term care with us, it's often because they're trying to answer one question: "If care is needed, will we have choices and what might it cost?"It's not always an easy conversation to have. Many people assume care is something to think about later in life, or only when circumstances change. The reality is that care decisions are often made during periods of stress, when there is little time to understand the options available or put plans in place.
Understanding how long-term care works, how it is funded and the potential impact on your finances can help you make informed decisions and keep more options open should care ever be needed.
First, it helps to understand the reality many families face: the system relies heavily on unpaid carers. Recent UK analysis found 16.2% of adults (around 8.9 million people) provided unpaid care in 2023–25, and a significant minority provide intensive care (35+ hours a week). This matters because unpaid care often sits alongside employment, parenting, and other responsibilities and it can quickly become a financial issue as well as an emotional one.
Second, the costs are significant and vary by region and care type. Market research reported by Which? estimated average England weekly fees in 2024–25 of ~£1,042 for residential care and ~£1,372 for nursing care, with higher figures in London and the South-east. Even a ballpark figure like this highlights the scale: over a year, those weekly costs can become a major ongoing bill, especially if care lasts for several years.
Third, unlike the NHS, social care is usually means‑tested. In England, the upper capital limit for local authority support remains £23,250 (and the lower limit £14,250), above the upper limit you’re generally treated as a self‑funder for care home costs. There are important nuances (including property rules, disregards, and income treatment), but those thresholds are a key starting point.
So what's the point of planning early?
Not to be pessimistic, but to give yourself more choice and control.
When care decisions are made under pressure, families often find themselves trying to navigate unfamiliar systems at an already difficult time. They may not know what support is available, what funding options exist, or whether the right legal arrangements are in place.
Common challenges include:
- Not knowing what support to ask for, such as care needs assessments, financial assessments or NHS-funded care pathways.
- Not having important legal documents in place, including Lasting Powers of Attorney and up-to-date wills.
- Lacking a clear understanding of their financial position and how long income and assets may need to support future care needs.
Over the next six weeks, I'll be sharing a simple, jargon-free guide covering what state funding does (and doesn't) cover, how the means test works, what being "care ready" looks like, and how care planning can form part of a wider retirement and estate planning strategy.
Care planning isn't about expecting the worst. It's about understanding your options before you need them and putting yourself in the best position to make informed decisions for you and your family.
If you'd like to discuss care planning or your wider financial circumstances, please get in touch. Call us on 020 8661 7878 or email advice@turpinba.co.uk