deprivation of assets and care fees

malpas1

Can anyone advise me. I have POA for my elderly father who is self-funding in a residential home and has capital of around £80k which I estimate will mean about 3 yrs before we are down to the first threshold for SS assessment for help with fees.Other than his care home fees and clothing/chiropody/haircuts there are virtually no other outgoings. A relative has requested reimbursement for transport and accomodation costs for regular visits to see my father. This has put me in an awkward position as POA. I have encouraged the relative to approach my father and ask him directly for this reimbursement ( he has full mental capacity) which they have not, as yet, done. Apart from any 'feelings' on this request, I am concerned that this would appear as deprivation of assets. I estimate a request of about £1000 to £1500 per year to cover these costs - I am unsure as to the requestors financial status except that they are working, have a mortgage etc. I just want to do what is right in my role as POA and also to avoid hassle when an assessment is performed.

Errata

This may be quite a rare situation, and in your shoes I'd have a discussion about it with the Public Guardian's office and ask for guidance.
I think if the relative needs to be funded for their visits then they have to give your dad, or you, a clear picture of their financial state in order to make their case for the funding.

monkeyspanner

I think you have done the right thing particularly as your father has full capacity. If the relative will not approach your father then their reluctance speaks volumes.

missile

Difficult situation and I am glad I would not like to be in your position

Savvy_Sue

Out of interest, does this relative have a consistent track record for making these visits? If they do, it could be worth asking what's changed to make it difficult without being reimbursed?

McKneff

Maybe he doestn want you father to know that he has to be paid to carry out these visits.

Maybe he would be ebarrassed and be afraid of being labelled a tight git or

Maybe he thinks it might hurt your fathers feelings.

Just a thought.

sloegin

My mother is in a rural nursing home near me. I have a sister who comes back from her job in Pakistan every year to visit her, a brother in Denmark who does likewise, and another brother travels from elsewhere in the UK. None of them is well-off, but they do not ask me to release money for them. Filial duty is a fair return for a parent's care through their lives. I travelled for many years down to the south from home to visit an aged aunt because of the memories of the good times we had had together. I would be interested to know your relative's justification for claiming expenses...?

Mojisola

Unless the relative has been helped financially in the past by your father, I don't see any justification in their request.

The only reason I would give it any consideration is if it's someone your father really wants to see and the relative can't afford regular trips. Then it's being spent for his benefit.

For you, guidance from the Public Guardian's office would be useful because, if it isn't accepted, you have an official reason for refusing - it's out of your hands/not your decision.