PAGE 10 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 264
What Happens To Care Home Fees When A Resident Dies, and Who Is Responsible For Paying Them? By Steve Gauke, Managing Director at Provira (https://provira.com/) In every care home, residents bring the place to life. They are people full of stories who have lived exciting lives and who build real connections with those looking after them. When a resident passes away, it's not just the family that experiences grief; carers do too. And in these times, many families will look to the carers who have become familiar to them to guide them through this difficult time. But apart from the emotional impact, families also face financial anxiety. One of the most common worries we hear is: "Who is responsible for care home fees now that my family member has passed?". Care home teams are often the first people families turn to for answers, so knowing the right information is important.
CARE HOME FEES ARE PAID FROM THE ESTATE, NOT BY RELATIVES
If a resident dies with unpaid fees, this is settled by their estate and is not paid for by their relatives. The estate is a term used to describe the collective value of a person’s savings, property and other assets. The only time that family members are responsible for paying an outstanding care home bill is if they have explicitly agreed to be a guarantor. If there is no estate or inheritance left by the deceased, then the unpaid amount is normally written off by the care home. Being able to reassure families of this early on can help remove a huge weight off their shoulders.
CARE HOMES CAN CONTINUE CHARGING FOR A SHORT PERIOD AFTER DEATH
Care homes are allowed to continue charging for a short period of time after a resident dies. This is because the room needs to be cleaned and prepared, and is unlikely to be ready for another resident right away. As a general rule, care homes are not allowed to charge fees for more than 3 days after a person’s death (as long as another resident doesn’t take the room before then) or 10 days if their belongings are still in the room. Care teams already handle this time sensitively, but knowing the regulations can help you answer any questions that families might have.
THE EXECUTOR PAYS THE BILL
When it comes to who is responsible for paying the outstanding bill, this role sits with the executor of the
estate. If there is a will, an executor is the person named to carry out the wishes of the deceased. If there is no will, then this role is handled by the 'administrator'. The executor is in charge of every financial aspect of the estate. That includes getting it valued, paying Inheritance Tax and applying for probate. And in the case of an outstanding care home bill, it means paying that too. But probate, which is the legal process of being allowed to access the money in the estate, can take months to come through. This could mean that care home fees are due before the funds are accessible.
A WAY TO SUPPORT FAMILIES FEELING FINANCIAL PRESSURE Between care fees, funeral costs and taxes, there are many financial elements for families to consider when a relative passes away. Options like Estate Advances and Inheritance Advances allow executors and beneficiaries to access a portion of the estate before probate is completed, helping to cover outstanding fees quickly, including outstanding care home fees. Another option, specifically for beneficiaries (those inheriting the estate), is an Inheritance Advance, which again allows them to access the inheritance before probate is completed, providing much-needed financial relief. At Provira, we work with hundreds of families across the UK to help them access up to 50% of their inheritance early. Being aware of this means you can guide families towards financial support options so they have space to grieve.
WORKING TOGETHER WITH EMPATHY Carers give families more than practical care. They are there every step of the way to provide comfort, support and reassurance. Here are the key things you can share to help: • Families are not liable to pay outstanding care fees. • The estate, not the people inheriting the money, has to pay these costs. • Some fees might continue after the person has passed away, but only within small limits. • Support exists if families need some extra financial help whilst they wait for the funds to be released.
A CLOSING THOUGHT FROM ME Carers are a line of support for families, and this continues even after their relative has passed away. By having the right information and giving reassurance when needed, you can help grieving families feel secure at a difficult time. With the right advice, families can access the funds they need and focus on what really matters: honouring the life of the person they love.
Avante Care & Support Celebrates Excellence at Annual Sparkle Awards Avante Care & Support held its annual Sparkle Awards ceremony on Wednesday, 12th November, honouring exceptional contributions from staff across its care homes, domiciliary care services and head office. The prestigious event recognised excellence across 14 award categories, including Amazing Deputy, Star Carer, Catering Star and Outstanding Leader. The ceremony took place at the Great Hall, Priestfield Stadium, attended by over 140 guests, including staff members, trustees and residents from Avante’s care homes. Veronica Anthony-David, Director of People & Organisational Development, opened the proceedings with a warm welcome, extending congratulations to all nominees and expressing gratitude to staff for their unwavering commitment and dedication. Managing Director Stuart Cross addressed attendees, providing an overview of Avante Care & Support’s achievements over the past year. He acknowledged staff members’ vital role in enabling vibrant and fulfilling lives for those in their care. Chris Francis, Director of Property, then presented an update on the recently completed care home, Wain House, sharing time-lapse footage documenting the development from inception to completion. Mr Francis also introduced a new initiative, the Green Sparkle Challenge Award, which encourages staff
to develop and implement environmentally sustainable practices within the workplace, submitting examples of their achievements in this area. The ceremony spotlighted excellence in care practices within the organisation’s care homes and home care services, staff development, and those who consistently go above and beyond to support their colleagues and others. After the awards were presented, the event was concluded by the Chair of Trustees, Andrew Ireland, who congratulated staff in attendance for their dedication and also recognised all Avante staff for the vital work they do every day. Lyndsay Hopper, Marketing Manager and Sparkle Award Organiser said: “I am delighted that the annual Sparkle award ceremony was once again a resounding success. The event provided an excellent platform to recognise and thank staff across the organisation for their dedication and hard work. Congratulations to all the award winners, those shortlisted, and everyone nominated for the Sparkle Awards 2025. I would like to extend my sincere thanks to our main sponsors, Bidfood and Beaucare as well as our individual award sponsors, EGMedia, Mediahawk, Lawson Queay and Compass Ltd. Their kindness and generosity played a pivotal role in making the Sparkle Awards a huge success”.
Greensleeves Care Reports Expanded Social Impact with Growth in Residents and Campaigns Reaching Millions Care home group Greensleeves Care has released its latest Social Impact Report which highlights progress in delivering compassionate, person-centred care while expanding its positive impact beyond residents and colleagues and reaching into local communities and the wider environment. The report, based on data from the financial year 2024-25, shows the leading care charity continuing to make a lasting difference to the lives of older people, not only through award-winning homes, but also through national awareness initiatives. Its Warmth of Care annual Winter campaign reached 8.5 million people nationwide, helping families feel informed, supported, and confident about care.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
• Resident growth and continued satisfaction • Our residents increased from 1,056 to 1,098 and the latest Resident Survey achieved its highest-ever response rate, with 95% of residents satisfied with their care and 99% happy with the support that they receive.
ENHANCED CARE AND ENVIRONMENTS
Renovation projects continue to ensure homes remain welcoming, safe, and modern, while 19 homes are now accredited under the Gold Standards Framework for excellence in end-of-life care. Meanwhile ongoing digital transformation including the rollout of digital care planning and workforce management tools is improving efficiency and modernising day-to-day operations.
National recognition sustained Greensleeves Care was again named among the Top 20 Large Care Home Groups in the UK by carehome.co.uk for the eighth consecutive year. Broadlands Care Home also ranked among the Top 20 Care Homes in the East of England, and the organisation was shortlisted in four categories at the 2025 Care Home Awards.
INVESTMENT IN PEOPLE
The charity achieved Gold Accreditation with Investors in People (IiP), recognising its culture of professional growth and staff wellbeing. We also grew our commitment to boosting apprenticeships, earning a Silver accreditation from The 5% Club. Chris Poole, Chief Executive of Greensleeves Care, commented: “I’m delighted to share the achievements reflected in our latest Social Impact Report, which stand as a testament to the dedication, compassion, and professionalism of everyone across Greensleeves Care. These results demonstrate on the strong social impact foundations laid by my predecessor and our exceptional teams. “As the new Chief Executive of this remarkable group, I’m focused on building on this legacy, growing our social impact even further and ensuring Greensleeves Care remains a place where residents, families, and colleagues alike can truly feel good about care: confident, supported, and proud of the difference we make together.”