Amnesic father

SouthernGeordie_2

Hey guys,

While visiting me in the states (I'm on a working visa), my father was hospitalised. The result of which has left him unable to talk properly or remember much. He doesn't even know who I am .

Now my mother is at home in the UK alone and I am trying to deal with his financials from over here while the insurance company authorises his return with me. It seems that he is in a lot of debt, and I was wondering what can be done about it? Since he can't understand anything any more, and therefore cannot go back to work I don't see how any debt can be repaid. Do I have to make him bankrupt or something similar?

I am also gravely concerned about his US medical bill, which is rapidly approaching 6 USD figures. I have this nagging feeling the travel insurance company won't payout... but how on earth will he be able to repay such a debt in his present condition without being able to work in the future?

I will also need to arrange a carer. Does the state pay for these? The directions on Directgov are confusing as hell. Neither of my parents can work any more, so I am unsure as to how they could fund it otherwise.

I am sorry if my questions seem somewhat juvenile or silly. I'm the only kid they have and I'm trying to work these things out quickly and as best as I can without getting overwhelmed. I'm straight out from Uni so these things tend to be a bit out of my area of experience.

Thanks in advance for any direction that can be given!

Torry_Quine

Do you or his wife have power of attorney as without that you won't be able to do anything as regards his finances? If not from what you say it doesn't sound as if he will be able to give consent for this and if not you will have to get this via the court of protection.

Is there a reason his insurance won't pay his hospital bills.

Social services are the people to contact for care help, they will assess his needs and ability to pay.

I'm presuming he is relatively young and has been working, in which case he could well be eligible for ESA and if he's paid sufficient NI contributions then it will be contribution based. Also it sounds like he will be eligible for DLA although you need to have the needs for the past three months and for the future six months.

rogerblack

Is he over or under 65?
Is your mother able to care for your father?
What savings and income do they have?

SouthernGeordie_2

Torry_Quine wrote: »

Do you or his wife have power of attorney as without that you won't be able to do anything as regards his finances? If not from what you say it doesn't sound as if he will be able to give consent for this and if not you will have to get this via the court of protection.

Is there a reason his insurance won't pay his hospital bills.

Social services are the people to contact for care help, they will assess his needs and ability to pay.

I'm presuming he is relatively young and has been working, in which case he could well be eligible for ESA and if he's paid sufficient NI contributions then it will be contribution based. Also it sounds like he will be eligible for DLA although you need to have the needs for the past three months and for the future six months.

No, I don't believe myself or my mother have power of attorney. This sounds like costs will be involved to go through the court .

As for paying out, I suspect my Dad neglected to realise he had to disclose a previous operation, and they will use this to prevent payment. The original reason he was hospitalised was due to a reoccurence of the same issue. Although the treatment of which has resulted in this new condition involving the permanent memory loss and poor muscle coordination.

rogerblack wrote:

Is he over or under 65?
Is your mother able to care for your father?
What savings and income do they have?

He is under 65 by a few years.
No. She has a severe lung condition which has made her unable to walk very far on perform any physical activity. My Dad looked after her.
As far as I can tell, no savings and he was self employed. He has a swell in his current account, but I am having trouble locating the reason why - I suspect it may be a large loan.

Torry_Quine

SouthernGeordie wrote: »

No, I don't believe myself or my mother have power of attorney. This sounds like costs will be involved to go through the court .

As for paying out, I suspect my Dad neglected to realise he had to disclose a previous operation, and they will use this to prevent payment. The original reason he was hospitalised was due to a reoccurence of the same issue. Although the treatment of which has resulted in this new condition involving the permanent memory loss and poor muscle coordination.



He is under 65 by a few years.
No. She has a severe lung condition which has made her unable to walk very far on perform any physical activity. My Dad looked after her.
As far as I can tell, no savings and he was self employed. He has a swell in his current account, but I am having trouble locating the reason why - I suspect it may be a large loan.

You would know if you had power of attorney as you would have had to sign documentation. There will be costs involved but without it you will be unable to have access to his finances and act for him.

Oh dear that doesn't sound good with the insurance.

It definitely sounds like you will need to get social services involved to determine the care needed by both of your parents. Also an assesement to see what benefits they are entitled to.