Home adaptation costs compared to care
Care home costs are hugely varied, with Wales being less expensive than many parts of the UK.
If the only reason you’re looking to move into care, is because your house doesn’t work for you anymore, home adaptation could be a solution. Most people are happier if they can adapt their home not their life.
We’re living in an aging population, with over 400,000 people currently residing in care homes. For some people they are accessing crucial support for dementia or complex physical needs, but others have made the move because they can no longer manage in their home.
Care costs in Wales
According to data from Lottie extracted from 4,000 care homes, the cost of care in Wales is the lowest of all the UK regions. It costs on average £1,198 a week to live in a residential care home. These costs rise if specialist nursing support is needed, or if a home is more high spec.
Paying for longterm care
Care costs money but you won’t necessarily pay for everything yourself. Most people contribute towards their fees but less than half of people currently living in care homes are 100% self-funded*. The best way to avoid care costs is to stay in your own home for as long as possible.
*Source: Which, Care Home Fees April 2024
Staying in your own home
If mobility is the main reason you are thinking of moving, a combination of adaptations could help you remain in your home for many years. A stairlift or home lift can help you access all floors of your home, whilst making changes to your bathroom will help you wash and use the toilet independently.
Cost of home adaptation
Small home adaptations like widening doors, adding ramps, installing grab rails, changing flooring, lowering units are very cost effective. Even installing a stairlift can be less than £8K. That’s cheaper than 8 weeks in a care home! A whole home adaptation project is a big investment but compare it to £62K a year for a care home and it seems a good idea.
After a serious accident at work, Richard was left using a wheelchair. His employer’s insurance paid for a whole house adaptation that revolutionised his life. The cost of long-term care over a lifetime would’ve been astronomical. By adapting his home, and arranging for carers to come to him, Richard was able to keep living independently with his family. We are used to working with legal firms on claims for whole house renovations.
How to pay for home adaptation
Firstly, simple improvements are not expensive. A stairlift costs from £1,500 – £7,000, you can even rent one if you want to. You may be eligible for a Disabled Facilities Grant, Which have created a DFG Guide to help you understand what’s available.
If you want an accurate idea of how much it would cost to adapt your home, contact us and we’d be happy to talk.
Call our friendly team today on 029 2061 1277, or complete the contact form.
