Elderly Relative Benefits?

Moody_Mare

baza52 wrote: »

I had a friend in a similar situation.
His gran was very frail and would have benefited from living in sheltered accomodation or a care home as she too was housebound.
It turned out that her family didnt want her to go into care as they would lose the house when she died as it would be used to fund her care.

When you said you had to have a lot of alterations done why didnt you include the bathroom?
What did you have done? A DFG may have covered this.

I can assure you the house is not the issue except to my grandfather. He worked very hard all his life watching others claim for everything and he does not want to end up with nothing. He understands care must be paid for but in his eyes he has always given to the state never claimed but now they want to rob him.

A lot of alterations have been done mainly with me footing half the bill most of the time so as to leave him with some savings. We adapted the kitchen as it was a wreck, same with his garden to make it easier for mobility and got him a bed that can be moved to suit his needs. Along with getting him a new TV (old one a portable with indoor areal and it is his only entertainment. With digital switch over something had to be done! Recently had to replace fraying carpets as they were a hazard and finaly got him a washing machine. As to the bathroom we have run out of money, yes I know I should have thought he would end up having difficulty get in/out of bath but it never crossed my mind, but then I have never had to plan a disabled house before. I can only try. Thank you for your comments.

sleepless_saver

As others have said, you can claim attendance allowance for him and carers allowance for you, but he may also be entitled to council tax benefit and pension credit which would help take the financial burden off you. If he'snot entitled now, he may be once he gets the attendance allowance which he definitely should. Remember it's not just the care you give him that counts, it's all the care he needs.

It's a pity he's refusing any social services intervention, as an occupational therapist assessment would mean that he got exactly the right equipment. I believe people waste millions a year buying the wrong products for themselves or their relatives.

Having said that, some relatively inexpensive bathroom things which might be useful from what you've said are: a bath seat, you can get swivel ones which he could sit in at the side of the bath and then you swing his legs over into the bath; a raised toilet seat with 4 legs and handles sits on top of the existing toilet.

Hope this helps - you are doing such a lot for him and he is very lucky to have you.

baza52

Moody_Mare wrote: »

I can assure you the house is not the issue except to my grandfather. He worked very hard all his life watching others claim for everything and he does not want to end up with nothing. He understands care must be paid for but in his eyes he has always given to the state never claimed but now they want to rob him.

has he not claimed the state pension for 25+ years?
Nobody wants to rob him.
If he understands his care has to be paid for what is the problem?

sazzybum

Hi, no advice from me I'm afraid, just a huge pat on the back and a round of applause for looking after him so well. :T

It must be such a strain sometimes, but it shines through how much you love him. I know I couldn't do it without cracking up!

Good luck and good wishes to you x

dmg24

baza52 wrote: »

has he not claimed the state pension for 25+ years?
Nobody wants to rob him.
If he understands his care has to be paid for what is the problem?

It is a generational thing - the older generation are incredibly proud, and for many years had no choice but to be self sufficient, and as such choose to stay that way. Added to that, they will have seen many friends be *forced* into care, and sadly many of these friends deteriorating very quickly. It really is not as simple as you think.

McKneff

baza52 wrote: »

has he not claimed the state pension for 25+ years?
Nobody wants to rob him.
If he understands his care has to be paid for what is the problem?

The OP says in her first post that Grandad gets his state pension and a small war pension.

baza52

McKneff wrote: »

The OP says in her first post that Grandad gets his state pension and a small war pension.

The OP also states he (grandad) hasnt ever claimed anything and has watched others get everything over the years.

I think 25+ years of state pension would be considered quite a large claim over the years.

maxmycardagain

baza52 wrote: »

The OP also states he (grandad) hasnt ever claimed anything and has watched others get everything over the years.

I think 25+ years of state pension would be considered quite a large claim over the years.

bloody scroungers.........

and he probably only worked from age 15 to 65 (50 years worth of tax and stamp) and paid a private pension too

if he isnt entitled to his state pension then no-one is

hermum

OP, the Royal British Legion would probably help with adaptions to the bathroom, as he has a war pension, he obviously fought in the war. In some areas it's ex service people who come out to see you, maybe your Grandad would be happier to accept help from them.
I think that they can also help to apply for any other benefits he may be entitled to.

baza52

im not disputing if he is entitled to it.
Im just saying 25+ years of pension IS a benefit.

How many people come on here saying all i get is x ammount per week and then when questioned if they get tax credits, child benefit, housing benefit etc etc say oh yes i do claim other things.