New research commissioned by Bluebird Care reveals that while demand for care is set to rise sharply, the majority of people in the UK have made no plans for how they will fund or access future care, which will cost on average £200,000 per person.

• 65% of UK residents have no plan in place for their future care
• Nearly a quarter of UK residents (23%) expect to sell their home to afford care costs
• Almost half of UK residents (48%) don’t know where to start when it comes to planning for care
• Care at home is the clear preference, with almost three-quarters (73%) wanting to remain at home or with family rather than move into a care home

In partnership with broadcaster Si King, private home care provider Bluebird Care is launching new awareness campaign today highlighting how unprepared millions of UK residents are for the cost and demand for care following findings from new research.

Commissioned by Bluebird Care, new research revealed a major gap between expectations and preparation for future care. The findings show that two-thirds of adults (65%) have no plan in place for their future care, while nearly half (48%) admit they don’t know where to start when it comes to planning. Financial concerns are also a major barrier, with almost a quarter of people (23%) expecting they will need to sell their home to cover care costs.

With the demand for care set to rise sharply, planning ahead is becoming increasingly important. By 2072, UK residents aged 65 and over is expected to rise to 22.1 million people, more than a quarter of the nation’s population, according to the Office for National Statistics. Yet many families still only discover their options or the true cost of care when faced with urgent decisions, highlighting the value of early awareness and informed planning.

Si is lending his voice to the campaign after witnessing the realities of care first-hand. His mother lived with Alzheimer’s disease, and he also supported his close friend and fellow Hairy Biker Dave Myers through serious health battles - experiences that shaped his determination to encourage more open and informed conversations about care.

Si King said: 

Care is something most of us avoid thinking about until life forces the conversation. I’ve seen first-hand through friends and family how quickly everything can change.

What really struck me was how little we understand about care until we’re right in the middle of it. I’m proud to be working with Bluebird Care to help change that, giving people the confidence to start those conversations earlier, understand their options, and keep living on their own terms for as long as possible.”

Despite these gaps in planning, nearly three-quarters of adults (73%) would rather remain in their own home or with family than move into a care home. However, many people still underestimate the true cost of care. The average cost of a care home is around £70,000 per year, compared with approximately £50,000 per year for live-in care at home.

Joe Whibley, UK Chief Operating Officer of Bluebird Care said: 

“These findings highlight a disconnect between the reality of future care needs and how prepared people feel to meet them. Earlier planning not only benefits individuals and families, but also supports a more sustainable care system by enabling better choice, better outcomes and more appropriate use of services.”

Vicki Gidalla, Director of Quality & Care of Bluebird Care said: 

“Care at home continues to be the preferred option for many people, yet too often families only explore this when they are already under pressure. Improving awareness of care options, costs and quality is essential if we want to help people to live well and independently for longer.”

To help people plan for future care needs, Bluebird Care published practical resources including its Good Care Checklist, which is designed to help families understand what good care should look like and how to navigate the system with confidence.

Read about our Good Care Checklist here - Good Care Checklist