Despite publicity around the cap on long-term care fees, members of the public continue to be confused by the detail of the reforms; according to research.
A poll by Saga has revealed while 82% of over-50s are aware of the cap on care costs, less than one in ten (9%) were able to identify what limit the cap had been set at.
The lifetime cap on care costs will be introduced at £72,000 from 2016. There will be a "means test" for residents in care homes, meaning that anyone with assets of up to £118,500 will be entitled to some state funding towards the cost of their care.
In addition, ‘hotel costs', such as food, accommodation and living expenses, will be capped at £12,000 a year.
Saga's research found just under three-quarters (70%) believed the calculation for the care cap started as soon as someone was assessed as having a care need.
When prompted less than half (48%) correctly said somebody would have to be assessed in ‘critical' or ‘substantial' needs to qualify.
In addition, the research highlighted that the public are confused about what costs will be included in the calculation of the cap.
Over two thirds (69%) of respondents thought accommodation costs would be included. Over half (57%) believed any medical treatment costs would be included.
Meanwhile over a third (37%) believed the cost of food would be included and a further third (32%) thought the cost of personal care, for instance haircuts, would be in the calculation
Meanwhile, one in three mistakenly believed if they selected a care provider that was more expensive than the local authority, the total amount would be included in the calculation.
Tim Pethick, director of strategy for Saga said: "Our research clearly shows that the government's publicity machine has worked wonders in ensuring people are aware of the new safety net that they've introduced - but people are being lulled into a false sense of security."
"It is clear that mass confusion prevails around both the eligibility and calculation of the care cap. This lack of clarity does not bode well for the country, individuals or the politicians that will have to answer to the families that will still see their family homes sold to fund care costs."
