People concerned about the impact of care fees should seek the advice of professional advisors, rather than rely on assumptions.

According to specialist lawyer Richard Howard, a partner at Fidler & Pepper Solicitors, how care fees work is misunderstood, and as a result people are worrying about the potential impact of having to afford fees.

The rules and regulations were already being misunderstood, says Richard, but the Care Act, parts of which were introduced in April, has further complicated matters as it has changed the way the social care system works and will change the means testing system itself.

He believes that almost everybody he talks to about care does not fully understand how care fees work, and that more than 70 per cent of those he surveyed believed homes would be under threat.

And almost 50 per cent of people, according to Richard, are concerned about how paying for care fees will impact on what they can leave to others as inheritance.

He said: “There are many myths about care fees, leading to misconception and misunderstanding. This then results in undue distress among people who are going into a care home and those who are close to them.

“The problem is made worse by the fact that often people seek the views of family and friends, or professionals who do a great job in their specific field, but may not be fully aware of how the care fees system works.”

He added: “If you have any worries about care fees, see a specialist advisor like us who will be able to go through exactly how things work and offer the best guidance in a professional and friendly manner.”
For more information about Fidler & Pepper Solicitors, visit www.fidler.co.uk