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The Guardian - UK

Politics

Patrick Collinson

UK care homes: how to pay the fees without going broke

Maureen McLean United Kingdom CQC Age UK LaingBuisson NHS

Two senior women sitting in a care home in north-east of England — Residential care homes offer social activities and meals for older people as well as help with personal care. Photograph: SolStock/Getty Images

Jim Kirby was a cautious saver all his life, but now aged 84 he is nearly broke because of £86,400-a-year care home fees and an exhausting battle to get the state to make a contribution.

The fees pay for his wife, Maureen, who since September 2021 has been in a £7,200-a-month nursing home.

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