Lily was 95, and lived alone. Her son lived nearby and visited regularly to make sure that she was coping. There is no data about how long Lily's son spent with her when he visited. In order to give a cost to Lily's informal care, it is assumed that her son's visits were on average one hour; meaning that he spent 7 hours per week with his mother.

 

Cost of Lily's informal care for 6 months prior to her hospital admission, using 4 alternative rates

Cost of informal care per month; calculated at 7 hours/ week for 6 months
PSSRU costs @ £32/ hour	£5,824.00
Direct payment @ £11.56/ hour	£2,103.92
Minimum wage @ £6.08/ hour	£1,106.56
Average carer’s wage @ £6. 20 / hour	£1,128.40

 

Total cost of Lily's care for 6 months prior to hospital admission,

including informal care, using 4 alternative rates

Care costs without informal care	£4567.60
Care costs with informal care @ £32/ hr	£10,391.60
Care costs with informal care @ £11.56/ hr	£6,671.52
Care costs with informal care @ £6.08/ hr	£5,674.16
Care costs with informal care @ £6.20/ hr	£5,696.00