Key's second report into care funding has highlighted a major shift in attitudes to using property wealth to fund care - around a third of over-55s plan to use their homes now compared with just 19% a year ago.
Property wealth is growing in importance for funding care in later life as faith in savings and pension income falls, a new report 'Tackling the Care Question' from over-55s specialist adviser Key has shown.
Key's second report into care funding has highlighted a major shift in attitudes to using property wealth to fund care - around a third of over-55s plan to use their homes now compared with just 19% a year ago.
Just 34% of over-55s believe their savings and investments will help fund care while 30% say they will use pension income.
Key's study shows over-55s overwhelmingly want to receive care in their own property - with three-quarters planning to either stay in their current home or move to a more manageable property.
One in 12 would have to sell any valuables they have to fund their care in 2020 - up three percentage points compared to 2019.
Care funding squeeze Key's report asked councils in England, Wales, and Scotland via FOI what proportion of those who needed long-term care, they paid for in full and what proportion received some financial assistance.
Will Hale, CEO at Key, said: "When you speak to people, you find that the vast majority are keen to receive care and support in the comfort of their own home but struggle to know how, or how best, they might meet these costs.
"With the recent economic turmoil, confidence in savings and pension income has fallen while more people are looking to the value tied up in bricks and mortar to finance care.
"Getting good advice and understanding what resources you have to draw on is important - and making sure you factor these potential costs into your retirement planning is vital.
"At the same time as councils are under pressure, over-55s are waking up to the reality that they may well need to pay for all or some of their care in later life.
"This has created the perfect storm and it is vital that the Government focuses on setting out clear plans for reaching a cross-party consensus on social care, and consider long-term reform and funding of the care system."
