Disabled Mum & Dad help

mikegamez

Hi and many thanks in advance.
My mum (91 yo) has been disabled for 10 years and my dad (87yo) has been her main carer.
Just before christmas my dad went in hospital and had a toe removed (diabetic).
When he came out, we had to put a bed in the front room (as mum has) and he no longer walks more than 3/4 paces - he has tried, but falls over!
When he came out of hospital they got 6 weeks of "free" care (They live in a council house and have 49k savings between them in total).
I have just been informed the free care will end Monday and because they have more than 44k between them they will have to pay full price for the carers - £300 a week!!
They don't want to "cheat" the system, but does any body know how much they can give children / grand children as presents per year.
I am assumng there is a limit, or everyone would just go to just below the limit!
But it makes me angry to think dad has saved the state 1,000's by caring for my mum for 10 years, and now because they are 5k over the limit they are penlised.
I do understand in a few months they would be under the limit, but if it is LEGAL for them to give the money to us / the kids - why not?
Many thanks again,
Mike

ConfusedDep

Who has organised the care? is it Social Services and what type of care are they providing and where?

dmg24

Can the family not help to provide care, in order to reduce the bill?

[Deleted User]

they cant give money away to get below the limits that would be seen as deprivation of capital
have either of them applied for or got attendance allowance?

viktory

I really don't see why they should not pay for their own care - they can afford it! Surely making sure that they both have the best care possible is more important than giving money away to the family. This leaves a really bad taste in my mouth.

somethingcorporate

They've got the money so they should pay. Are you worried about your inheritance being spent or something?

I agree with Viktory, it does leave a bad taste in the mouth that they have almost £50k set aside and you don't want them to spend it to make sure they are well looked after in their old age.

Oldernotwiser

mikegamez wrote: »

They don't want to "cheat" the system, but does any body know how much they can give children / grand children as presents per year.

Can you not see the contradiction in the above statement?

ConfusedDep

I might be the only one here, but I don't seem any harm in finding out the options if that is what they actually want. I had to arrange care for my grandmother. Private care was much more expensive than care arranged by the council.

The reason I ask about what type of care is that if it is nursing care in relation to the operation they may be an argument that the care or a proportion of the care should be paid for by the NHS. I cannot work out if they are receiving the care in the home or are in respite care at the moment.

If it is care at home what are they actually paying for? Is it multiple visits per day? and who arranged the care and is it meeting the needs.

Someone already said Attendance Allowance. I would be asking if the husband is the main carer for a carers assessment. Have the occupational health been involved and given advice on the various aids that can be used to help with balance. Constantly falling over is not good but it may be a zimmer/stick would help maintain the balance.

If at home it might be possible to get put on meals on wheels, or arrange care via day care which may work out cheaper.

How long have they lived in the council housing, is it specially adapted? could they possibly buy it. I know it would then reduce the capital but I don't think this would then count as deprivation of capital and they could then possibly claim depending on income pensioners credit, which could then kick in council tax benefit and possibly other benefits. A lot of the charities should be able to visit the home and help on the benefits side. I use to say to my grandmother it was help to work out that she was paying the right tax if you think they are too proud to claim.

Mojisola

What benefits are they on? They may both be entitled to Attendance Allowance which will help to pay for their carers.

spoonk1

I dont think the op is afraid of her inheritance being spent,a lot of mean comments posted here,if you where in the same situation you would NOT want your own parents to pay for it,they may have worked all their lives for that NEST EGG.Somebody that has never worked a day in their miserable lives (honestly) will get all the free care they need so why shouldnt 2 pensioners who are disabled.
Surely their own family can help with caring but only so much can be done if you work and have your own family to look after.
OP get your parents to splash out have their house decorated ,buy all the things they need to make their life comfortable,buy a car for you or another member of your family that can drive,so you are able to take them out for their shopping,hospital appointments and to collect their perscriptions.Government cant argue when your making their lives more comfortable.

Indie_Kid

spoonk1 wrote: »

OP get your parents to splash out have their house decorated ,buy all the things they need to make their life comfortable,buy a car for you or another member of your family that can drive,so you are able to take them out for their shopping,hospital appointments and to collect their perscriptions.Government cant argue when your making their lives more comfortable.

This could be seen as deprivation of capital.