Fees and funding
Paying for care, explained simply
Paying for care can feel complicated. Here's how it usually works in England, and how we can help you through it. Call us for our current fees.
Our fees
A clear weekly fee, explained before you decide
Our weekly fee depends on the room and the care your relative needs. Call us and we'll tell you the current fee, what it includes, and anything that costs extra. If you're not sure how care will be paid for, we're happy to talk that through too.
Ways care is paid for
How care home funding works
Paying for your own care
If your relative's savings and assets are above the government's upper limit, they'll usually pay for their own care. This is called self-funding. Many families pay from savings, income or the sale of a home.
Help from the council
Medway Council, or the council where your relative lives, can assess their care needs and their finances. If they qualify, the council pays towards the cost and your relative contributes from their income.
The 12-week property disregard
When someone moves into a care home permanently, the value of their home is usually not counted in the council's financial assessment for the first 12 weeks, giving the family time to plan.
Deferred payment agreements
If your relative's home is counted, the council may agree to defer payment, so the home doesn't have to be sold straight away. The cost is repaid later, usually when the home is sold.
Top-up payments
If the council's contribution doesn't cover the full weekly fee, a relative or friend may be able to pay the difference. This is called a third-party top-up.
NHS Continuing Healthcare
If someone's needs are mainly health needs, the NHS may pay for their care in full. Ask the hospital team, GP or social worker about an assessment.
Attendance Allowance
People over State Pension age who pay for their own care may be able to claim Attendance Allowance. It isn't means-tested.
Respite care
Councils can sometimes help pay for respite stays, after assessing the needs of the person being cared for, or of the family carer.
Independent advice
Free guidance you can trust
- Medway Council: adult social careAsk for a care needs assessment or a financial assessment.
- NHS: paying for your own careHow self-funding works, and the help available.
- NHS Continuing HealthcareWho qualifies, and how the assessment works.
- Age UK: paying for careFree, independent guides and an advice line.
- GOV.UK: Attendance AllowanceRates, eligibility and how to claim.
- Society of Later Life AdvisersFind an accredited adviser for later-life finance.
This page is general guidance for England, not financial advice. For advice about your relative's situation, speak to the council or an independent adviser. You can always call us to talk it through.
Questions
Answers to the questions families ask most
Can't see your question? Call us on 01634 722621 and we'll talk it through.
How much does Grafton Lodge cost?
Our weekly fee depends on the room and the care someone needs. Call us on 01634 722621 for current fees, and we'll explain what's included.
What does the weekly fee include?
We'll go through exactly what the fee covers, and anything that costs extra, before you decide anything.
Can the council help pay?
It may. Ask Medway Council, or the council where your relative lives, for a care needs assessment and a financial assessment. Call us too, and we'll talk through how funding could work for your relative.
What happens if my relative's savings run low?
Contact the council early, well before savings fall to the government's upper limit, so they can carry out an assessment in good time. Talk to us as well, so we can plan together.
Where can I get independent advice?
Age UK, the NHS and Medway Council all publish free guidance, and the Society of Later Life Advisers can help you find an accredited financial adviser. The links are on this page.
Come and look round
The best way to choose a care home is to see it.
Give us a ring and we'll arrange a time for you to come and look round, or email us and we'll get back to you.
