Pension/Benefit/Income help, caring for Grandmother

sleepless_saver

Would she give you power of attorney so you can deal with matters like renting which she doesn't want to do? It will also be useful if she is unable in the future to manage her own affairs (by then it is usually too late to obtain power of attorney).

If she gives the house to you and lives with you, she would continue to get the attendance allowance, but she could well lose the pension credit as she would deliberately have deprived herself of capital she could have used to support herself.

I assume she gets council tax benefit at the moment. That will be affected once the house is empty whether or not she transfers ownership and the local council should be told about the change in circumstances.

If she gives the house to you, she can't then leave part of it to your father as it is no longer hers to leave. All she could do is hope that you give him part of the value once it is sold.

Your grandmother is very lucky to have you!

Mojisola

sleepless_saver wrote: »

If she gives the house to you, she can't then leave part of it to your father as it is no longer hers to leave. All she could do is hope that you give him part of the value once it is sold.

Your grandmother is very lucky to have you!

She could give the house to the two of them as joint owners.

I agree with your last comment!

superpup

Thanks, please excuse crappy reply but i'm at my nan's and having to do this on my tiny phone. We discussed power of att tonight and she wants me to sort that out. I have worked out that we can manage on her state pension, attendance allowance and granddad's pension, but it would be tight. With the net income from renting her house out, we would be fine, as long as base rate doesn't go mental in the short term. I've kind of figured out she'll lose the pension credit and disability premium. Whoever rents the house will pay council tax and I think we'll only pay 50% on mine as I won't be working, just as her carer. I think.

She'd emptied ALL her drawers and cupboards out when I got here so i've been busy packing and doing tip runs. She's in a lovely mood and cracking jokes so i'm confident she's happy with her decision.
Thank you so much for taking the time to reply.

jennifernil

Info on Council Tax here.....

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/HomeAndCommunity/YourlocalcouncilandCouncilTax/CouncilTax/DG_10037422

You may get a reduction if the household income is low.

sleepless_saver

superpup wrote: »

Thanks, please excuse crappy reply but i'm at my nan's and having to do this on my tiny phone. We discussed power of att tonight and she wants me to sort that out. I have worked out that we can manage on her state pension, attendance allowance and granddad's pension, but it would be tight. With the net income from renting her house out, we would be fine, as long as base rate doesn't go mental in the short term. I've kind of figured out she'll lose the pension credit and disability premium. Whoever rents the house will pay council tax and I think we'll only pay 50% on mine as I won't be working, just as her carer. I think.

She'd emptied ALL her drawers and cupboards out when I got here so i've been busy packing and doing tip runs. She's in a lovely mood and cracking jokes so i'm confident she's happy with her decision.
Thank you so much for taking the time to reply.

Sounds like you've got it all sorted between you, and it's lovely to read such a positive story.

superpup

Thanks, I got back late last night and can use my laptop now thank goodness!

I think I'm going to move her down with us next weekend. She will live with my eldest DD until my youngest DD's house is all sorted and she has vacated her bedroom (buying, estimated 4-6 wks as no chain). DD1 has a 2 bedroomed flat with a bathroom opposite the bedroom and a lift down to it so will be fine with her for now. That gives me time to get a stairlift put in and her room ready. I will spend every day with her as DD1 and partner both work full time.

This week I have to buy a chair, I want to get a leather/faux one that's quite high with an optional foot thingy (you can tell I know my chairs eh? :rotfl: ). I can't pay a fortune for it so I'm going to have to try and get a second hand one. I have to buy a stairlift, carpet my house (laminate downstairs and I'm worried she'll slip, upstairs needs carpet anyway), carpet her house for rental, pay lettings agent fees, etc. I need to get the chair now and the carpet for her house but the stairlift and carpet at my house can wait a few weeks.

I'm also in the middle of renovating my Mum's house for her so she can move back in there after 3 years (long story) so the timing of my Nan moving down with us is rubbish but I've wanted it for so long I can't complain!

Nan's house is looking better already. I've steam cleaned the bathroom, touched up the grouting and painted it and one of the bedrooms. They both look great and I now feel guilty that I didn't do it when she could have benefited from it. She joked that maybe she wouldn't move now her house was looking so nice, the minx!

Thanks for the council tax link Jennifernil, I'll have a look now.

Sorry for the waffle above, I can't seem to shut up but there's no one about today to talk to and I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed

Does anyone know if a stairlift is easy to fit and if they just plug into a socket or do they have to be wired in? Obviously I'm not up for doing a bodge job and risking her falling off half way down but if it's just a matter of making sure the fixings can bear the weight, it's something we can manage ourselves which will save a bit of money.

Mojisola

It would be better to get a second-hand stairlift but pay for the professional fitting if you need to save money.

Whatever you do, be prepared to haggle. The stairlift salesmen are mostly reincarnated double-glazing salesmen from the bad old days!

My Mum had an assessment by an OT before we bought her stairlift. The OT looked at her specific problems and told us what kind of stairlift to buy and what details to look for. We were able to hold our own against the salesmen because we knew exactly what she needed. Had we bought without that knowledge we would have ended up spending lots more than we needed to and the stairlift wouldn't have suited her needs.

If the Disabled Living Foundation have a centre in your area, it would be worth a visit - https://www.dlf.org.uk/?gclid=CLX-prDbpacCFYFB4Qod1lAqnQ

superpup

Oh, I also need a folding wheelchair. She can walk but not too far and I thought if I get one that fits in my boot, we can go out to places she wouldn't normally manage as I can push her when she's had enough. She's okay with it as I asked her.

Are they all pretty much the same? I need it to be not too expensive (obviously!) but I don't want to get the cheapest and it be uncomfortable for her to sit in longer than 5 minutes.

Thanks

superpup

Mojisola wrote: »

It would be better to get a second-hand stairlift but pay for the professional fitting if you need to save money.

Whatever you do, be prepared to haggle. The stairlift salesmen are mostly reincarnated double-glazing salesmen from the bad old days!

My Mum had an assessment by an OT before we bought her stairlift. The OT looked at her specific problems and told us what kind of stairlift to buy and what details to look for. We were able to hold our own against the salesmen because we knew exactly what she needed. Had we bought without that knowledge we would have ended up spending lots more than we needed to and the stairlift wouldn't have suited her needs.

If the Disabled Living Foundation have a centre in your area, it would be worth a visit - https://www.dlf.org.uk/?gclid=CLX-prDbpacCFYFB4Qod1lAqnQ

Thank you, I hadn't thought of that. I've had a look at the link and it says to ring the helpline to find out where they are so I'll call when they open on Monday.

How do I get an OT in, is it through the Dr? I'm not sure the best way to get her in the shower. I would be able to lift her up to standing if I got in the bath with her but I don't think it would be very dignified for her but I think I could get her seated under the shower (big shower bath).

Mojisola

superpup wrote: »

Thank you, I hadn't thought of that. I've had a look at the link and it says to ring the helpline to find out where they are so I'll call when they open on Monday.

How do I get an OT in, is it through the Dr? I'm not sure the best way to get her in the shower. I would be able to lift her up to standing if I got in the bath with her but I don't think it would be very dignified for her but I think I could get her seated under the shower (big shower bath).

There were OTs at the DLF but Mum also saw one who was sent by the Social Workers.

The OTs will be able to demonstrate things like a bath board - there's an example here - https://www.thedisabledshop.com/category/Bathing/2/1a

What you're suggesting with the bath sounds very risky - for her and you!

You really do need to get Nan assessed - a Social Worker and an OT should see her and your house. They will be able to suggest a lot of ways to make life easier.

You should also ask for a Carer's Assessment for yourself. The SS should also put in writing an emergency plan for what happens to Nan if you are suddenly unable to care for her. If you're in hospital having an emergency operation, you won't want to be worried about what's happening to her.