Care Home Funding (what if mum sold me her house!?)

Pollycat

Mojisola
You may remember me posting recently about what would happen (with respect to Mum's income) if my Dad had to go into a care home.

They are in rented accommodation so have no property as capital and don't have a lot of savings so not in the same circumstances as the OP (who presumably didn't like the replies he was given as he's not posted since) and iang26brixton.

You kindly replied on my thread and monkeyspanner also gave me the link to the Counsel & Care website which has some excellent factsheets on it relating to care home funding (for anyone interested, see link in my post above).

With respect to my question, I now have a much greater understanding of what income/benefits my Dad would keep if he were self-funding and what he would lose if he was part-paying and what impact it would all have on Mum.

Mojisola

Pollycat wrote: »

With respect to my question, I now have a much greater understanding of what income/benefits my Dad would keep if he were self-funding and what he would lose if he was part-paying and what impact it would all have on Mum.

That's good. The system can be bewildering when you first have to deal with it. I'm learning all the time from the advice given by other MSEers.

Errata

Pollycat wrote: »

Iang
It might be of use to you to read Factsheet 3 from this website:

http://www.counselandcare.org.uk/finding-and-paying-for-a-care-home

titled:
Assets: disadvantages of giving your capital away

Under 'Deprivation of Capital' it says:


It goes on to say

So before you get entangled in potential costly legal fees, you might like to think if the action you're considering would actually work for you (in the eyes of the local council who will be deciding what forms capital in the event your Mum goes into a care home).

As more and more people and families try to wriggle out of self funding by disposing of assets, councils are becoming better at analysing what's going on and using that knowledge appropriately. As they are required to do on behalf of taxpayers.
As the economy worsens and funding for care is harder for councils to find, their analysis will become tighter and closer. Council's aren't daft, although some people seem to think the wool can very easily be pulled over their eyes.
I'd suggest anyone who wants to get rid of their assets in order to be eligible for council funding books themselves into the cheapest care home in their district for a week to experience what they might be letting themselves in for.

Pollycat

Errata wrote: »

As more and more people and families try to wriggle out of self funding by disposing of assets, councils are becoming better at analysing what's going on and using that knowledge appropriately. As they are required to do on behalf of taxpayers.
As the economy worsens and funding for care is harder for councils to find, their analysis will become tighter and closer. Council's aren't daft, although some people seem to think the wool can very easily be pulled over their eyes.
I'd suggest anyone who wants to get rid of their assets in order to be eligible for council funding books themselves into the cheapest care home in their district for a week to experience what they might be letting themselves in for.

A couple of comments to your last statement, Errata.

It often seems to be the children of people who may be going into care who are asking questions about "how to get out of paying care home fees" i.e. the ones who feel they may be losing out on their 'inheritance'.

In one of the factsheets I read (Guide #19) on the Counsel & Care website titled 'Care Homes - What to look for' the very last point said in big bold type:
Would you like to live there?

I think that's something that sons, daughters and other close relatives should ask themselves when choosing a care home for their parents, aunts etc.

We've found a really nice care home that we've used a couple of times for Respite care for Dad when we take Mum on holiday but unfortunately it's not that local for Mum to visit every day if the worst happens and Dad has to go into a home.

plummie2003

Plans_all_plans wrote: »

Umm, well some people have never been a position to buy their own home or save up, that's why. It's not because they're lazy, just that they have never been in the fortunate position of having assets.

Of course i was not referring to everyone who is county council funded, however there are (especially these days) alot of people who are and will continue to go through life not working and scrounging off the government, those were the people i was referring to. Obviously some people are just not fortunate enough to have assets or savings, the vast majority i suspect at the minute given the current economic climate. I am sorry if i have offended you but i genuinely was not referring to everyone.

plummie2003

must_try_harder wrote: »

With a funded place you are placed anywhere and it might be horrible. If you are funding the place yourself you (and your family) have the choice of where you go.

And by the way this is not true, the Department of Health issued new guidance to local authorities in a circular sent out in October 2004. This stated: 'There should be a general presumption in favour of individuals being able to exercise reasonable choice over the service they receive.' The main points of the guidance state:

* Councils should not set arbitrary ceilings on the amount they expect to pay for residential care. Residents and third parties should not be required to make up the difference between what the council will pay and the actual fees of a home.

Although councils have less money to spend, they have no right to be placed anywhere.. This will only happen if a) they lack the mental capacity to make decisions for themselves, and b) they have no friends/family willing to stand up for them.

There is alot of information out there re care homes.. and i mean ALOT! its just finding the nitty gritty that can support your argument.