Fair Deal Nursing Home Scheme: How Does The Financial Support Work?

 

Has your dad or mom reached a stage in life where you believe they might be better off in nursing home? Considering long-term nursing home care because of elderly health issues or age-related medical conditions? Applying for the Fair Deal Nursing Home Scheme can help you with financial support towards the costs of your parents’ long-term care.

Medical care is very expensive nowadays and even more so when the elderly is dealing with a range of ailments that come with age. End-of-life expenses can impose a huge financial burden since most senior citizens find it very tough to cover the cost of their care and it is here that applying for the NHSS can help. Ever since the introduction of the Fair Deal, the way Ireland’s ageing population pays for nursing home care has changed substantially.

Here’s a detailed insight into NHSS scheme and how it works.

What Is The Fair Deal?

The Fair Deal Scheme, also known as the NHSS, is a scheme launched in 2009. It replaced the Subvention Scheme which had been in existence since 1993. Managed by the Health Service Executive (HSE), it is regarded as one of the best healthcare policies in the world towards for the elderly. Under this scheme, you will make a contribution towards the cost of your care and the HSE will be paying the balance.

In order to avail of the State Support, your assets and income are assessed and your weekly contribution towards the nursing home fees is calculated based on this assessment’s income. NHSS covers public nursing homes, private nursing homes, and voluntary nursing homes. Under this scheme, an individual will receive the same kind of State support, no matter the type of nursing home you choose.

What Does The Fair Deal Cover Exactly?

The Fair Deal funding covers the level of care that’s apt to individuals as well as a bed, board, and a laundry service. Also, it covers some therapeutic activities and certain appliances and aids needed to assist with the activities of daily living. If you have a medical card, it must cover the cost of appliances other than medical care like medication and GP charges.

Can Anyone Qualify For Financial Assistance Towards Nursing Home Care?

Any individual who is ordinarily a resident of Ireland and needs long-term nursing home care can apply for the Fair Deal Nursing Home Scheme. At first, you or your loved one need to be assessed if a long-term nursing home care is really needed. If you only require short-term care or convalescent care, you won’t qualify for the NHSS.

You can easily apply to any voluntary, public, or private home that’s listed under the HSE scheme and is assessed as appropriate for your needs. No matter what you choose, you will still get the same amount of financial support.

How Does The NHSS Work Financially?

Once you are assessed as someone who needs nursing home care for a long-term and your Fair Deal application is approved, the HSE will check your income and the assets you own to decide your contribution towards the cost of the care. Under the NHSS, the general formula is that you contribute up to four-fifths (80pc) of your total income and a 7.5pc of the value of assets you own every year to your long-term care costs, with HSE paying the rest.

Furthermore, when calculating the amount you have to pay for your care, the first €36,000 worth of your total assets or €72,000 if you are married are excluded. It is worth noting that you can defer the payment of the 7.5pc contribution until you die. This is made possible by a HSE loan which can be repaid any time.

Wrapping Up:

The Fair Deal Nursing Home Scheme is indeed a blessing for the ageing population. If you want to know more about the NHSS or perplexed about how to apply for it, you can approach professional Fair Deal advisors for assistance.