Help for carers?

AVal

Not sure where to put this one, but here goes...

My mum was diagnosed with Parkinson's Plus, lewy body disease and other demenia-related ailments 3 years ago.

It now seems very likely that permanent care is on the horizon, due to the social services involvement in the last few weeks.

Admittedly, it has been getting hard recently, and the last few weeks where she has been in respite care have been a godsend. However, unless absolutely necessary for her care, I want to be able to care for her at home.

My concern is that I have been informed that due to the value of the house, she would be classed as self-funding. Looking at the numbers, without the house, the cost would be covered by the social.

Anyway, as her primary carer, I live at home with her, along with my brother and his family. My concern is that if she does go into care, what could happen to the house? Cost of care isn't important, but having a roof over the family's head is!

She gets a state pension & Attendance allowance, roughly £800 p/m. House estimated value £95k.

AFAIK, there is no will (I believe that now because of her mental state, it wouldn't be possible to do), or any power of attorney. I've not had time to think of anything apart from making sure she is comfortable.

EdInvestor

Anyway, as her primary carer, I live at home with her along with my brother and his family. My concern is that if she does go into care, what could happen to the house?

The general rule is the house wouldn't be taken as long as a spouse, or a child aged over 60 or who is the person's carer was living there. They would put a charge over the property though, so it couldn't be sold.

AVal

Thanks.

This could equate to a fair bit, then. With her care coming to possibly £24k p/a, and her GP has said that she could live another 10 or so years.

Thanks for the info EdInvestor, but I'm not covered in any of those caveats. The best I can hope for is a deferred charge.

Odd, seeing as she's been in respite care for the last 3 weeks, and that the social services are more than happy for that to continue, with them paying the major chuck of the fee.

Regarding a will etc., was I right in thinking it's too late?