Father in Secure Nursing Home.

[ValWoodley]

My father has advanced dementia and has been put in a secure nursing home as he attacked 3 people when he was in hospital causing injury to 2.
He is 89 and I am 63 and a pensioner.
I have a reasonable occupational pension and a 4 bedroom detached house.
He was assessed yesterday and has been given full NHS funding.
The person did however say I should sell his house as he may not qualify for NHS funding in 12 months time to which I replied he does not have a house or much in savings.
She then said that I should downsize my house as the house I own is reasonably expensive for the area and she said 1 person does not need 4 bedrooms. She knew the road and the houses.
She then said Social Services will pay a certain amount but I will be liable for a top up of £130 per week at present and the home he is in is the only suitable home in the area.
I have got some ISA's coming up next month but I really want to invest the money for another 5 years as I am in good health and have no immediate need for the money.
As far as I am concerned I have earned that money to enjoy later in my retirement.
Surely I can not be made liable for the fact my father is a danger to the public.

Val

[ummmm]

You are not liable.

[ummmm]

Plus your Dad is allowed 23k in savings before he's liable.

[sunny-dave]

Unless your father has deliberately deprived himself of assets by passing them to you (as a means of avoiding paying for his own care), the state has no claim whatsoever on you or your income.

Whoever told you this is bluffing or misguided or both.

[suechu]

I would have said you are absolutely not liable, Val. You should complain about this person spouting nonsense.

(Well, hope I'm right, someone else may say otherwise.)

[chelle7272]

Ummm is correct, some good info on who is liable and thresholds on this site

http://alzheimers.org...fo.php?documentID=125

[carolegif]

They are trying it on, you are not liable. However, I think there is a difference between Alzheimer's and dementia. If your father has Alzheimer's then his care is free, but if it is dementia then it is deemed as part of getting old and not covered. If they think someone will pay then they will try and persuade them to pay. Just refuse to pay anything. My father used to pay £130 but my mother's pension paid for it, as should your father's.

[cathfromsaron]

you are not liable, nor will you be in 12 months time, god willing!

we didn't have to pay anything when my grandfather was sectioned BUT they still made us sell the house before we knew that!

stay strong and contact ageUK for advice:

http://www.ageuk.org....ObawK8CFVEjfAod4HoyyQ

cath x

[suechu]

Let us know how it goes, Val, you have all my sympathies, very stressful situation.

[Brenden]

Is there a difference with payment for care if you have Dementia or Alzheimers, I thought you paid in both cases - am very interested in finding out.

[woofgang]

Can suggest that one this is sorted,if you feel strong enough, you should make a formal complaint against this person?

[ummmm]

Carol, dementia is a symptom of Alzheimer's.

[cathfromsaron]

the sectioning or secure accommodation aspect is the key to this!

[woofgang]

Dementia in whatever form tends to be called Alzheimers as it was seen as a kinder term (like aids and HIV) True Alzheimers IIRC is one kind of degenerative disease of the brain where aluminium deposits form. There are many reasons for a person having dementia, all of them have damaged areas of brain as a common factor but the causes vary.

[ummmm]

My Nan is in a secure care home and it costs approx £450 a week. Grandad is in a nursing home and costs approx £650 a week.

Grandad pays for both from his own purse.

[woofgang]

Whatever the reason, no one can me MADE to pay for another's care, the only assets taken into consideration are those of the patient themselves o sometimes assets recently given away. Families sometimes CHOOSE to top up the SS or NHS payment(s) to get their reli into a better home or one nearer to them and so on. In this case where the patient has no assets and the home is the only suitable one, then SS and NHS have to sort it out between themselves.

[woofgang]

Ummm but that is because of their assets and savings, not anyone elses'

[emmie]

I wouldn't have thought you were liable, and i would read up as much as you can about it, various links provided. The person has got a bloody cheek quite frankly, and you would have been well within your rights to tell the person to mind their own business.

[ubasses]

All been said really, you are not liable for your fathers care unless he has given assets away to you, then they can decide he deprived himself of his assets to avoid paying the fees. If he has £23000 he may have to top up until he reaches the lower limit (I think about £14k). As far as your money is concerned tell them it has nothing to do with your father and is to pay for your future.

[cathfromsaron]

'locked' or 'lockable' are not the same as 'secure', when you have been sectioned! they cannot charge for nursing when they are holding you there!