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Minimising private care home costs
Comments
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lessonlearned wrote: »Right -= I've just doubled checked - wading through the mountains of paperwork:rotfl:
These are post April 2012 figures so should be current.
Capital up to £14,250 is excluded from all calculations
£23.250 - full payment of costs
between the two figures a sliding scale operates
I will go back and amend my first post.
Sorry for any misinformation.
No, don't apologise, lessonlearned.
The figures may change anyway if the Govt decide to uplift them for the new financial year.
The principle is the same.
I'm sorry if you thought I was being critical of your facts, I wasn't.
Re the pension split:
I don't think it's a case of asking the pension company to physically pay half to 'person 1' and half to 'person 2'.
If the person in the care home's income isn't sufficent to pay fees in full (and a lot of times it won't be - it certainly wasn't in Mum & Dad's case as they had to use Dad's savings to top up to the weekly charge after taking his state pension, DLA and 100% of his occupational pensions (our choice as explained in my previous post)), then you can opt for either 'person 1' to have 100% (as we did) or opt for 50% to go towards care home fees and the remaining 50% be retained by 'person 2' - but the pension can still be paid 100% to 'person 1'.0 -
Oh dear I'm not expressing myself very clearly.
I do apologise.
What I was trying to explain was that it is my understanding that not all pension providers will offer the option of a 50/50 split, that some of them insist that 100% goes to the owner of that pension. In such cases, in the event of the pensionholder's death then the pension is rescinded and the survivor receives nothing.
It was that kind of pension I was referring to because I wasn't sure what would happen when the pensionholder went into care.
I am sure that that kind of pension must be quite rare now although I was told recently that pensions from the military fall into that category but I really don't know for sure.
Personally I find that difficult to believe in these days of (supposed) gender equality but the person telling me this was adamanant that this was case.
The person telling me (my SIL) was married to someone in the military (Air Force) so I didn't argue with her. She told me that is was only if the person died on active service that the survivor received part of the pension. If the pension holder died after retirement from the service then their pension died with them and the survivor received nothing.
My husband worked for the NAAFI (Navy, Army, Air Force Institute) who provided goods and services to military personnel and they do offer a 50/50 split.
As I said earlier - the whole business is very complicated and I often feel that it would be easier to wade through treacle.
Margaret - I do take your advice to heart re the advisability of bringing my husband home. Everyone I speak to tells me not to even attempt it. I too have wrecked my back and neck through caring for him.
I suppose in the end common sense will prevail and I will give up. My husband has told me to give in and that he is "happy enough" in the nursing home.
However, it is very hard to see him in a home though and I just wished I could do more for him.0 -
Hi lessonlearnedlessonlearned wrote: »TBH Margaret I cannot bear seeing my husband in a nursing home - it hurts me so much that I had to give in in the end, but I could no longer do it. He needs two sometimes three person handling and it's just too much for one person.
I had to give in too. The hospital insisted, saying I would not be able to continue, as sole carer, given my disabilities. I was angry and upset, my mother was very distressed and felt betrayed, and so on. But without massive help they would not give or even arrange, indeed, I could not have coped.
So, I, like you, visited often. I kept a small kettle and tea in her room, and took milk in (we could get tea at any time, but I wanted to be able to make it easily, as I wanted it), and she and I had tea together though given her accelerating dementia. not as we had before... .I just wish I could find a way of bringing him home.
Yes. It is a lot worse for you. But I do have a very clear idea how you feel.0 -
Oh dear it is so sad isn't it. I'm sure your mum will have enjoyed your tea parties though.
I do something similar. I've decorated his room with all his favourite paintings,photos, bedlinen etc. I've set him up with a computer, telephone, tv, dvd player. We have film nights I take in takeaways . I just try to create a home from home atmosphere.
It's the best I can do.0 -
lessonlearned wrote: »TBH Margaret I cannot bear seeing my husband in a nursing home - it hurts me so much that I had to give in in the end, but I could no longer do it. He needs two sometimes three person handling and it's just too much for one person.
I visit every day and still oversee much of his personal care. Some of the carers leave much to be desired and I'm constantly having to do things they "forget" or do so inadequately that I insist they come back and do it again. I'm probably getting a very bad name for myself, they probably think I'm a dragon. I don't care what they think of me I won't see him neglected.
I just wish I could find a way of bringing him home.
Ah well - time to get cracking and start the day.
I do the same with my mother. I think the care they get in these homes is just above neglect, mainly as they run on not enough staff - am I correct in thinking there is no minimum ratio? When she went in they went through the care plan and asked if she likes to wear make-up - what a joke, the reality is she doesn't even get her teeth cleaned.. So I too, am the 'dragon', though I try to pick my requests very carefully - hence I have to carry out some of her personal care daily, and if I go away or can't make it that day she misses out on that aspect.
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Yes - there should be legal requirements for staff/resident ratios.
However I'm not sure how effective they are. eg it takes longer to transfer someone on a hoist than it does using a standing hoist or zimmer frame. The less mobile they are the longer it takes. This doesn't seem to have been taken into account in their calculations.
As for teeth:eek: No chance.
I know they are not allowed to cut nails but they can't even be bothered to organise nail cutting. Not only do I do my husband's nails I've also taken pity on another gentleman in his home. He has no family to oversee his needs. I noticed that on one hand which had become claw-like due to a stroke his nails were so long they were digging into his flesh. Poor man.
I just feel sorry for the poor devils who have no "dragons" to watch over them.
Like you I am always uber polite - I fear that if I'm too strident there might be repercussions - they might be nasty to my OH when I'm not there.
I often feel that I'm walking on eggshells in this matter.0 -
The occupational pension can be claimed as a 50/50 split between husband and wife .
It is not up to the pension provider , it is used as income assessment for the person who requires Nursing Home care.
Dads in a nursing home but there have never been any issues with his care and he is subsidised . He is 90
Any health issues , any requirements for a dentist (he has one tooth left) any problem what so ever , they phone me straight away.
If ANYONE sees situations where people seem to be not cared for correctly PLEASE, PLEASE call Adult Social Services straight away and make a huge fuss
You can do this and remain anonymous to the home and they will take these complaints seriously .
Hope this helps0 -
I do the same with my mother. I think the care they get in these homes is just above neglect, mainly as they run on not enough staff - am I correct in thinking there is no minimum ratio? When she went in they went through the care plan and asked if she likes to wear make-up - what a joke, the reality is she doesn't even get her teeth cleaned.
. So I too, am the 'dragon', though I try to pick my requests very carefully - hence I have to carry out some of her personal care daily, and if I go away or can't make it that day she misses out on that aspect.
Gingerfox..
The home should keep documented evidence on a daily basis about personal care . weight , medicine (accepted or refused), falls etc.
It is a legal requirement and you have the right to view these records whenever you feel the need.0 -
The occupational pension can be claimed as a 50/50 split between husband and wife .
It is not up to the pension provider , it is used as income assessment for the person who requires Nursing Home care.
Dads in a nursing home but there have never been any issues with his care and he is subsidised . He is 90
Any health issues , any requirements for a dentist (he has one tooth left) any problem what so ever , they phone me straight away.
If ANYONE sees situations where people in this situation seem to be not cared for correctly PLEASE, PLEASE call Adult Social Services straight away and make a huge fuss
You can do this and remain anonymous to the home and they will take these complaints seriously .
Hope this helps
My experience like yours was very positive. The staff were absolutely fantastic and nothing was too much trouble. The local GP came in twice a week, the chiropodist came every three months, the optician came annually and the dentist every six months. Any problems such as a fall or need for antibiotics and we were phoned right away.
One thing that impressed is that the latest home inspection was out for all to read as well as the certificates showing staffing levels.Lost my soulmate so life is empty.
I can bear pain myself, he said softly, but I couldna bear yours. That would take more strength than I have -
Diana Gabaldon, Outlander0 -
I have been in contact with Social Services today and have set up a meeting with his care manager.
Please do not misunderstsand me my husband is not being ill treated in any way shape or form. It is rather as Gingerfox calls it - benign neglect. Unless I watch them like a hawk - then standards slip.
Either that or I'm too fussy by half.
However why would we not fuss over those we love - that's what wives, mothers and daughters do -it's our job.;)
Cavework - that was my understanding re occupational pensions and that has been our experience. However I thought I would mention what I had been informed about re military pensions.
These matters are very complex and what I posted was just a general explanation. Every case is different and I would recommend anyone trying to plan anything to get expert advice.0
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