Using my mother's money.

[Poulos]

My mother who is 87 now needs a wheel chair and we have a 4 year old Totota Yarris.
I am now caring for her and the car is not big enough for all the items I have to carry for Mum.
The doctor has recomended an automtic car on the next change
We have looked at other cars and we have a few options but suitable cars appear to be about £15,000 to £16,000 new.
Mum wants a new car and wants to pay half. I will be the driver.
She also wants a new bed in the near future and the bungalow modernised and again wants to pay half.
We have had estimates amounting to £25,000.
The bungalow is jointly owned.
Does anybody know if I will be liable to refund any of Mum's share if she has to go into care.
As far as I can forsee I will be able to care for her but I have heard of people deteriorating very quickle at Mum's age.

Jayne

[bednobs]

How will having an automatic help you fit more things in?

[ethandron]

Don't think that's whats meant, bednobs, it's not how I read it anyway. Automatics are generally more expensive, maybe that's why it was mentioned.

[pizza]

Like bednobs commented there will be no more space in an auotomatic than a manual so can't understand the doctor recomending one ?
I would suggest popping in to Citizens Advice or Age Concern as they are so informative about these matters and they do care as opposed to a free hour session with a solicitor.
I have no idea of your Mums age or yours but I know there is more help for people wanting to look after relatives in their own homes these days, even local councils are more helpful than they used to be.
I am a carer in Nursing home and we offer respite so families can have a break from their loved ones as well.
People sometimes under estimate the strain than can be put on families.
Your Mum is lucky to have your love and support but if the time comes when you can't manage at home don't ever feel guilty if you have to put Mum in a home because there are times for all concerned it is the best option x
Keep us informed and all the best to you and your family

Lesley
.

[pizza]

Sorry Jayne just realised you did put Mums age on and yes she could deteriorate very quickly or she could soldier on til a hundred it's a lottery and I looked after a guy until he passed away at 107 ! amazing guy still had all his facilties till the end.
I didn't realise you had only joined the site today and this site is really great lot's of people and topics and there's alway an ear to listen x
.

[rowanwitch]

Car wise You might want to consider buying something that can have modifications for disabilities in the future.

So farr as the home is concerned it might be worth contacting your gP practice and asking for an OT home assessment as you may get help with some of the work if it is to help your mum remain independant things like raising plug sockets, etc if you are having work done anyway getting things like bathing aids etc built in would be easier than waiting til you really struggle.

[woofgang]

Does your Mum live with you? Provided that it isn't done with intent to avoid paying fees, then your mum is at liberty like anyone else to spend her money on whatever she likes. I am assuming that your mum would be adjudged competent to decide what she spends her money on so you would not be accused of defrauding her? Has there been any indication from medical or social services assessment that she might need res care in the foreseeable future?
The things you are saying you want to do seem reasonable. I am assuming that the doctor's recommendation regarding an automatic car is to do with an illness or disability that you have and not to do with your mother?
Rowanwitch's advice about getting an OT assessment is excellent. You will get more information and may get assistance with paying for alterations to help your Mum.

[slinky.kate]

does your mum not qualify for a mobility car???

[woofgang]

People don't qualify for mobility cars. They qualify for the mobility component of the disabled living allowance. This can only be initially claimed by those under 60 (ie of working age)
http://www.direct.gov...alsupport/dg_10011925

[Poulos]

Hi Everyone

The reason for the automatic car is I have had problems with my left leg in the past and the doctor said an automatic would be better on the next change for me.
I know this will not directly benefit Mum but there would be no use me buying a car I could not drive in say 2 years time.
I am 61 and a pensioner myself.
The builder recomended raised sockets where he is doing the alterations.
We are having a walk in shower installed.
I am a little unsure if we need raised sockets for stand lamps etc but they will be useful for hairdryers etc.
I think the OT home assessment may be useful and I will ask for that.
Maybe we will have the work done as we decorate if it is not immediately necessary.
We do not qualify for a motorbility car but the salesman did say it may be worth having a word with the motorbility specialist when he is back on Saturday but as he says there is probably no car on the road which will cater for every possibility.
I do live with Mum and as I have said the bungalow is jointly owned.
What does concern me slightly is once these bills are paid Mum would only have about £16,000 left plus her half of the bungalow.
I do know the council can not force me to sell the bungalow if Mum has to go into care.
I could probably refund Mum's share if I really had to but I do not know if some of the alterations will be of any use to me as I may not have the same problems in future and if Mum say went into care in a years time for example I could be left with an oversize car.
Again it could be changed but would it be economical to do so?.
The doctor can not forsee the need for care at this point in time.

Jayne

[rowanwitch]

I'd stop any work pending an OT assessment as you may not have to meet all the cost.. If you still work and you have a mobility problem you may be able to have adaptations made to a car to help you Idf you work a Disability Employment adviser at your local Jobcentre plus is the person to contact.

[Poulos]

Hi romanwatch

I am retired and unlikely to return to work.

Just to clarify why the automatic car is more expensive is automatics are not generally available in the basic model car so I will have to purchase a middle of the range model.

Jayne

[danchip]

What area do you live in, 25k sounds a lot for the renovations!

Have you looked into leasing a car, its cheaper than buying one and you can change it after a year if you need to!

[tonywiltshire]

Some good advice from many, If the bungalow is jointly owned by your Mother and yourself as tenants in common or joint tenants (joint tenants own the entire property and on the death of one the survivor inherits, tenants in common own a percentage of the property in your case 50% each and can be left as you please in your will) The value of 50% of a house is usually nil and I do not see how a LA could demand you repay any expenditure.

I think we all know that kate means the mobility scheme which would requires the mother of Poulus to be in receipt of the higher rate mobility component of Disability living allowance, the maximum age for a new application for which is 65,unless she had made a successful claim prior to her 65 birthday or is in receipt of a war pensioners mobility supplement and required a modification to a standard car, she may be eligible. If in receipt of Attendance Allowance this will unfortunately not help.

[factor-fiction]

If you need an automatic car have you considered a Honda Jazz?

[factor-fiction]

Hi Sarah- when you say "... refund any of Mum's share if she has to go into care" are you asking whether it would be regarded as a deliberate disposal of assets in order to avoid care home fees in some way?
.

[Poulos]

Hi factor30

A Honda Jazz is one of the cars I am considering.
The back seats drop flat which would be ideal when we go on holidays and a lot are sold to pensioners / disabled people.
The slight downside to a Honda Car for me is the showroom is not so convenient for me to get to if any repairs are necessary but there are plans for a new Honda Showroom near me although it is not expected to open until early 2014.

You also said ''Hi Sarah- when you say "... refund any of Mum's share if she has to go into care" are you asking whether it would be regarded as a deliberate disposal of assets in order to avoid care home fees in some way?''

I was thinking along those lines.
People could say anything is not necessary but we want to maintain the bungalow at a reasonable standard.
We do not have an en suite in the main bedroom but most of the people do in this area and we really want to keep up to date.
Also Mum's bedroom has seen better days.

Jayne

[factor-fiction]

I'd go for a red automatic Honda Jazz but they may be difficult to get hold of as they are very popular at present as you may have seen from previous threads.

[moonglow52]

Hi factor30

Is red the colour you have got?.
If you want an automatic car and not flexible on model or colour you may have a few weeks wait.
To be honest I have not really considered the colour yet but I would like a change from blue as I have had 4 blue cars one after the other.
I have seen a pink Honda Jazz but I will not have that colour.
Most other colours are OK and if I had to compromise on colour to get a better price I probably will. I will go for another blue car if there is a good enough reduction in price.

Jayne

[factor-fiction]

Don't you just hate it when that happens....

[sherrardk]

Oops, you've done it again. Answered your own question using two different user names. (Aren't you getting bored of asking the same question all the time?)