Avoiding Care Charges

[lisdar]

If I owned my own house and have money in the bank what is the best way to avoid charges if I were to go into a home

[Islay]

It may Naomi it depends on how greedy the family are I suppose!!

[pixie374]

That sounds fairer, naomi- although home care isn't free now. Zylaphone, why is paying for what you need "being penalised"? Wouldn't you expect to?

[zylaphone]

PS: we have paid our taxes

[sunny-dave]

Quite so Islay - I've seen some shocking instances of "It will be better for mum/dad to be cared for by us at home" when the decision is actually just about money, and the 'care by the family' was actually 'neglect and hope they die soon'.

[pixie374]

I've said this before s-d..... without any doubt at all, the worst and most widespread abuse of elderly people is at home by their relatives. It is hardly ever intentional, just ignorance. Even relatives, I'm on, should have to do a basic care course, moving & handling and probably some of the Law parts carers have to do before anyone can look after a vulnerable person.

[sunny-dave]

I refer you to my post at 18:46, zylaphone - what makes 'care' different from any other service or product I need and must pay for?

[Islay]

zylaphone as have millions of people that cannot afford to own their own homes but have worked for a living!!

[Tilly2]

Supposing my home is worth £750.00, I am on my own because Mr T has pre-deceased me, I have to go into care and my care home fees when I die are £400.00. Will my beneficiaries still get the remaining £350.00 as well as any other assets I may have?

[Tilly2]

^ £400.000, I meant.^

[sunny-dave]

Yes Tilly - after the bills are paid your estate gets the rest - but with a minimum of £100,000 (assuming your estate is over £100,000 to begin with)

[Tilly2]

Thanks, Dave. So in future, Care Homes will not receive the weekly funding fees. The fees will be paid in a lump sum, once a resident dies? I don't like the sound of that.

[DTCwordfan]

I agree with pixie - as someone who is reasonably responsible/sensitive, I could do with help at times - wit getting a 11+ stone mother to go up to bed when she is super-tired - as to the legality of things like home-security, I have a good knowledge, but I know many do not understand the limits.

Now, to encourage training and support, what I would add is that the government ought to pay decent carer-at-home income for those keeping their beloveds out of the cost sinks called hossies or socially funded allowances - and respond more proactively to care claims. On that score, I put in for higher attendance allowance last July and, just after Christmas, I had a form to fill in - that went duly off - and where are we today, May the 21st, zippo.

[DTCwordfan]

and £62,50 a week is sweet efff all......a disgrace

[sunny-dave]

No Tilly - you (or your representative) will be billed as usual and will have to Pay As You Go exactly as now.

It is only when your 'liquid assets' run out that a new Government Agency will step in and pay the bills, whilst placing a charge against the future value of your house.

[Tilly2]

Thanks for the clarification, Dave.

[Old_Geezer]

One pays taxes etc. for what health care one needs. Taking whatever your prudent lifestyle allowed you to save to pay for the same help that a wastrel spendthrift is given free, is clearly wrong. Questions asking why one wouldn't expect equal treatment, can not be serious.

[bednobs]

well i need to pay my electricity bill, however, i feel its family money, so im not going to Ditto my tesco shop

[sunny-dave]

It's not 'health care', OG - if you are actually ill you will get care in hospital or a nursing home.

If what you are is 'old' and 'unable to cope without some help' then it's not unreasonable to expect to have to pay for it.

I agree that there is often a (very) fuzzy line between being ill and just being old, but the principle isn't wrong - for what else can you just say "I have money, but decline to pay"? Not much I suggest?

The fact that some others get "the same for free" is an irritating part of life - not just applying to care in old age - and I agree it is a pernicious blight on society which needs fixing. You should always be better off having made some provision for yourself - but that's a much bigger issue than a single argument about care costs.

[gness]

There are a number of irritations, Dave.....
At each assessment we are told that if my mother was in the state she is through illness she wouldn't have had to pay quite as much as she does because she "only" has dementia......which I see as an incurable illness......
One reason I guess is that very fit people who develop any form of dementia can live for a very long time.....so it's going to stay as needing care not nursing.....

I think most of us are willing to pay for our care when the time comes......but to pay fairly would be nice.....x