If you have assets of more than �20k, this includes any equity in property, you have to finance the costs yourself which can be anywhere between �500 - �800+ per week depending on the type of care needed. The NHS will pay for nursing care on top of this separately directly to the home. It is expected that property should be sold to finance this. I speak from resent experience as my father had to go into a nursing home following a massive stroke and as his power of attourney I had to make the payments from his funds. Sadly he passed away a few months ago just before we had to consider selling up his house. I wished he had enjoyed his money rather than saving it but that seems to be the way with older people who have spent their lives scrimping and saving every last penny.