Carewise

About

Choosing long-term care could be one of the most expensive decisions you make. West Sussex residents could expect to pay up to £1500 per week for their care (actual cost will vary depending on the provider and your needs). Good financial planning is vital to ensure the funding is in place for as long as it’s needed.

Yet the vast majority of people do not seek independent financial advice to help them make informed choices. It may seem simplest to pay care fees from savings, income or selling your home, but this may not be the most cost-effective choice.

Carewise was set up by West Sussex County Council, Age UK West Sussex, West Sussex Partners in Care and the Society of Later Life Advisers (SOLLA) to help people through this financial minefield. It provides information and advice about care and support options, guiding you to the most suitable way of paying for long-term care.

There is also access to the general money advice service at Age UK West Sussex, providing advice in a range of areas including pensions, benefits, managing debt and budgeting.

Peace of mind

Carewise offers a panel of care fees specialists, who are all:

• qualified independent financial advisers;
• accredited by the Society of Later Life Advisers (SOLLA);
• approved under the Trading Standards ‘Buy With Confidence’ or equivalent local authority approved scheme;
• trained in adult safeguarding; and
• checked with the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

Your first consultation with a care fees specialist is FREE, and they will explain the cost of any further advice.

Book your free consultation

For more information on the Carewise scheme and to arrange your free consultation, visit the Carewise website or contact Adults’ CarePoint on 01243 642121 or email socialcare@westsussex.gov.uk.

You can also watch a short film about the benefits of Carewise below.

An invitation to solicitors...

From time-to-time you no doubt discuss issues relating to planning and paying for long-term care with your clients and you’ll be aware of the myriad of choices that people can be faced with, such as deferred payment agreements, renting out property, care fees annuities, equity release and Trusts.

Carewise was set up in 2011 by West Sussex County Council, the Society of Later Life Advisers (SOLLA), Age UK West Sussex and West Sussex Partners in Care to provide trustworthy, independent financial advice about care and support options and the most cost-effective ways of paying for care.

Carewise includes a panel of seven locally-based independent financial advisers specialising in financial planning for later life – all members of SOLLA. They provide comprehensive advice on what type of care and support at home or in residential care clients can afford, and help to preserve savings and assets for as long as possible. To provide people with added confidence they are all approved by Trading Standards’ Buy with Confidence scheme (or equivalent local authority scheme), Disclosure and Barring Service checked and trained in safeguarding adults.

You can view an information leaflet about Carewise below, so that you fully understand the breadth of information and advice that can be provided to clients; from specialist financial advice on later life planning to the free Money Advice Service provided by Age UK West Sussex.

To see the list of Carewise care fee specialists please visit the Carewise website.

If you have any questions or would like to order more copies of the leaflet and/or information packs for your clients please contact Fung-Yee Hite by email at Fung-Yee.Hite@westsussex.gov.uk or phone 033 022 28954.

Further information

• Carewise – Care funding scheme

Call 01243 642121, email socialcare@westsussex.gov.uk or find further online information from www.carewiseadvice.com

• Age UK West Sussex

Provides many services for older people, including an information and advice service and money advice service. Call 0800 0191310

• Carers Support West Sussex

Offers personalised information and support to help people across West Sussex in their caring role. Call 0300 028 8888 or email info@carerssupport.org.uk.

• Money Advice Service

A free, independent service set up by Government and funded by a levy on the financial services industry, where you can find information about funding long-term care.

• Pensionwise

A free and impartial government service about your defined contribution pension options. Book an appointment to get free and impartial guidance over the phone or face-to-face. You’ll talk about your pension options and what you can do next.

At the end of your appointment you’ll get a summary of your details and next steps you need to take. Book a free appointment.

• Society of Later Life Advisers (SOLLA)

A not-for profit organisation helping people and their families to find trusted accredited financial advisers who understand financial needs in later life.

• Trading Standards' 'Buy with Confidence' scheme

An initiative helping businesses comply with the law and improve consumer protection.

• West Sussex Partners in Care

The largest representative body for community care in West Sussex working on behalf of private, voluntary and not for profit organisations of all sizes.