The Care Act 2014
The Care Act 2014 comes into effect today (1st April 2015) resulting in the biggest shake-up of the care system for 60 years.
The Care Act includes rights for those receiving care and those who provide it to their loved ones. It includes standards for access to services from care in the home for tasks such as washing and dressing as well as care homes. The changes to the care system coming into force in England only apply older people and younger adults with disabilities.
Major changes being introduced in the Care Act
1. The creation of national eligibility criteria which establish when someone should be entitled to help. Until now this has been a postcode lottery with local councils setting their own eligibility criteria.
2. Giving carers the same right to assessment and support as the people they care for. Previously they had to provide “substantial care on a regular basis” to get an assessment
3. Private payers (i.e. those who pay for care themselves) will be entitled to go to their council to get advice and information about the care system.
4. To help protect people’s assets, a cap on care costs they have to pay for – set at £72,000 for the over-65s – will kick in from April 2016.
To find out more about your home care options, please contact Trinity Homecare today.
