Elderly Relatives - Worried and stressed

Mojisola

RonHill wrote: »

Sorry to be asking so many questions!

If we help them with this (it's basically a re-worded version of what is in the wills anyway) and get is set up as above; what would happen if BOTH needed to go into care?

Would the house then be sold and used to pay?

If they both have to go into care, the requirement is that the bills have to be paid. How that is done is down to the couple and/or their family. The council doesn't "take the house and sell it" which is often said.

If the house is suitable for renting, that's worth considering.

Anyone self-funding still gets all their pension and benefits. If they need care, they would probably be entitled to Attendance Allowance and may get Pension Credit. It's worth working out what that would add up to.

If the difference between that amount and the care home fees can be paid from rent or from family members, the house wouldn't have to be sold.

RonHill

Okay, that looks like the right way to go then. I'll take her to see a solicitor and see what needs to be done.

In the mean time, while we're on the subject.


As granddad is completely immobile, we can no longer get him in and out of the car as we can't get him in or out of his wheelchair.

We used to go for a lot of meals, take them to the garden centre, shopping etc but can no longer do that.

What is the criteria for a mobility car? We could perhaps sell my other halves and put that towards it.

We do all their shopping / banking etc for them anyway so it would be nice if Granddad could get out with us while we do it.

So many questions, it's all happened so fast and we've never had to deal with any of this state stuff before, pensions and allowances and all that kind of stuff is a complete nightmare, nothing is easy to find out or do once you've figured it out!

Mojisola

Once you reach 65, you can't get benefits towards mobility problems.

If you were receiving DLA for mobility before you reached the age of 65, you can keep on receiving it.

Does anyone have Power of Attorney for the grandparents?

RonHill

Mojisola wrote: »

Once you reach 65, you can't get benefits towards mobility problems.

If you were receiving DLA for mobility before you reached the age of 65, you can keep on receiving it.

Does anyone have Power of Attorney for the grandparents?

They are both in their 80's, never had any problems with mobility until all this started and he stopped driving about 12 months ago. So I guess that's out. I might look how much it is to hire a mini-van with a wheelchair lift, even if it's just on birthdays and stuff that might work.


Nobody has power of attorney, forgive my ignorance but I don't even know what that means.

Mojisola

RonHill wrote: »

Nobody has power of attorney, forgive my ignorance but I don't even know what that means.

Here we are - https://www.gov.uk/power-of-attorney/overview

agrinnall

Given that the grandfather has health problems you should also investigate whether continuing health care is appropriate, as this may mean costs are covered by the state - there may be a reluctance to tell you about this, and resistance to granting it, so you'll probably have to fight to get it. If it seems to be applicable in this case then don't hesitate to involve anyone, such as your MP, who had the clout to persuade people.

troubleinparadise

This is a useful guide to choices and options available re care and finances:

http://www.ageuk.org.uk/home-and-care/social-care-and-support-where-to-start/

cavework

Is Grandad an ex service man? Was he in a Union before he retired .. All the above have funding in place to help financially.
The home cannot be taken into account as an assett while one of the partners remain living in it.
Is Grandad claiming severe disability allowance and all the benefits he and his wife are entitled to?
Check this with CAB
Changing the deeds now would really make no difference for at least 7 years .
I would also obtain POA for both.
CHC is not going to be easy to obtain , this comes up again and again but by the time you have fought and hopefully won , usually the person concerned is dying or dead .
In the meantime I would look at these other means to finance Grandads care.

margaretclare

RonHill wrote: »

They are both in their 80's, never had any problems with mobility until all this started and he stopped driving about 12 months ago. So I guess that's out. I might look how much it is to hire a mini-van with a wheelchair lift, even if it's just on birthdays and stuff that might work.

He stopped driving - what about her? Does she still drive?

Nobody has power of attorney, forgive my ignorance but I don't even know what that means.

It's basically where you give someone else the power to act for you if you become incapable. You have to have all your marbles still and it has to be done by a solicitor, but it can simplify things a lot as regards dealing with money etc.

I think quite a lot of us in today's world may be in a similar position to the grandparents i.e. we own house property but have little savings. We appear to be much better off than previous generations who didn't own anything much, but still, it can end up being a worry. Where earlier generations worried about having to go into a workhouse, Granny and Grandad are worrying about losing the roof over their heads.

DH and I own our own home but we haven't got as much as £23.5K in savings between us. I think many people may be like this.

milliemonster

It sounds to like he is having intermediate care which is a rehab programme for patients who have some kind of rehab potential with the aim of getting them back on their feet. This is only for 6 weeks or so and not provided long term and if it is established during that time that the patient is not going to regain their independence then this is why they will now be looking at eligibility for ongoing care, this is mainly to establish his care needs moving forward in the longer term including what support his wife may need with the aim to keep him in his own home as long as he wishes.

They will do a chc checklist to see if he triggers an assessment and yes they will look at their savings to see if they can afford to pay for careers longer term, the wont expect them to sell their home for this though, if they have savings under the threshold and it is established he needs ongoing care then this will be provided by social services