Edinburgh residents should “prepare for care needs early” as demand for services rises

Edinburgh locals have been told to prioritise planning ahead for later-life needs as the demand for services continues to rise.

The warning comes from Edinburgh Care Forum (ECF) – an industry network created in response to the complexity of the care market – which brings together expertise from the care, financial services, legal, property and funeral industries to help families with specialist care needs to access the services, information and support they require.

With the population living longer, reports reveal that the demand for the NHS, social care and other public services are under increasing strain. 

Against this challenging backdrop, the forum has found that individuals and families are often making long-term care or end-of-life decisions under great emotional and time pressure.

The sense of urgency means proactive measures, such as assessing long-term costs or evaluating the reputation of the provider, can be bypassed to find the quickest and easiest solution.  

Among the types of support people can access are: 

• Care support: help to find available and affordable care options as well as guidance on financial planning and preparation. 

• Financial guidance: advice on financial management to pay for care, invest in the future, or pass down to loved ones. 

• Legal advice: help identify the legal requirements for individuals and families when preparing for care and end-of-life needs, including powers of attorney, guardianships and wills,  

• Property management: advice on lettings and selling as well as insurance, valuations and clearance services from property specialists. 

• Funeral planning: offers Free Plans of Wishes and free consultation on prepaid plan options. 

Laura Chapman, director of Chapmans and founding member of the Edinburgh Care Forum said: “The Edinburgh Care Forum is a trusted network of Edinburgh professionals who help families deal with later life issues; not just care, but all the complicated aspects that come with it, including seeking out legal advice, financial planning, property, downsizing, home support and healthcare.  

“We’re a group of experienced people who work together regularly and can help with the elements most people don’t think about until they’re in the middle of a stressful situation and trying to make important decisions quickly.” 

According to a recent report from Ageing Britain, more than half (52%) of care enquiries are made within a month of care being needed – 16% needed help within one week. 

The findings also revealed that a “lack of planning time is leading to limited earlier support and stretched family networks”. 

ECF helps individuals to kickstart the planning process, by offering support and advice to confidently navigate the complexity of care and public services – particularly for areas they may not have considered. 

One common example of this is the security of properties left unoccupied while individuals undergo long-term care. ECF can advise on professional house sitters to maintain and protect the building for significant periods of time.  

Laura added: “For a lot of families, a home is tied up with memories and a sense of stability as well as being a valuable financial asset, which is why decisions around property can feel incredibly emotional during later life. 

“The practical things like council tax, insurance, security, maintenance and ongoing upkeep can also become overwhelming, especially if decisions are being made during an already difficult or unexpected time. 

“Having conversations early and getting advice from the right people can make such a difference. It gives families greater peace of mind when they need it most.” 

Ben Thomson, director at William Purves Funeral Directors, commented: “Too often, conversations about future care and funeral wishes are delayed because, understandably, people find them emotional or hard to face.

“But avoiding these discussions can leave families making important decisions under intense pressure at an already distressing and uncertain time.  

“Edinburgh Care Forum helps people plan ahead, giving them clarity, dignity and peace of mind while also easing the emotional burden on loved ones so they can focus on what really matters; saying goodbye.”  

Martha Martindale, financial advisor for PW & Partners Ltd said: “For individuals with specialist or long-term care needs, robust financial planning can make a significant difference to families.

“Last minute decisions can quickly rack up costs so taking advice ahead of time helps people make informed decisions about how best to manage and protect their money and assets. 

“Whether it’s releasing funds to pay for care, investing for the future or putting a funeral plan in place, early financial planning gives families better reassurance and access to the right support when they need it most.”