Not spending income - adds to inability to claim benefits?

skintandscared_2

Dunroamin wrote: »

I think that one of the points that Mojisola is making is that, if you're paying for care out of your own money, you could buy considerably more (and probably better) than 90 minutes a day for £500 per week, which, after all, works out at £50 per hour. You wouldn't pay a private carer anything like that amount.

This is so true. My boss paid for live-in carers so his mother could stay in her own home. This was about 3 years ago and they cost about £400 per week plus travel expenses. Three or four lovely ladies did a fortnightly rotation and each lived with his mother for 2 weeks at a time, taking full care of her and doing the cooking/cleaning.

downshifter98

lovinituk wrote: »

I don't have to think it, I can see it with my own eyes! Both my nans are in homes - one owned a property and had savings, the other had nothing. Guess which one is living in a very nice home with amazing staff and loves being there?!

But they are both being cared for and you would expect the free version to be less impressive (of course) - the nan with savings and property presumably made major sacrifices to achieve this and now she is reaping the benefit. The potless nan could, of course, have family top ups to reach the same standard as the other nan and these would cost a lot less than the better off nan who pays the full whack (if her money runs out this would also become an issue for her). There are no easy answers and everyone's experience is different but I still think that 'saving' through older age is only worthwhile if you have relatively large amounts. Living frugally to hold onto a few thousand over the £23t limit is just not worth it imho.

lovinituk

downshifter98 wrote: »

But they are both being cared for and you would expect the free version to be less impressive (of course)

Well thats exactly what we have all been saying!

downshifter98 wrote: »

the nan with savings and property presumably made major sacrifices to achieve this

Not particularly, no.

downshifter98 wrote: »

The potless nan could, of course, have family top ups to reach the same standard as the other nan

No, top ups at all - family can't afford that.

You said...

If people really think that a big chunk of cash will mean better care in old age they really are being very naive

...which is clearly not the case with my nans. The one that had a chunk of cash is clearly spending her last days in much more comfort and happiness than the other.

SuziQ

Lizzieanne, your post really warmed my heart!

SandraScarlett

My Mum spent 7 years in a care home, self funding, and when she died nearly 17 years ago, the fees were £1750 a month. As far as I was concerned they were worth every penny. As far as my brother was concerned, they were a rip off, and he could only see "his" inheritance dwindling away.

My DH has Alzheimers and I pay for everything, and when/if the time comes when I can't manage, I'll pay for his care home fees too. We have savings because it hasn't been practical for years to go on holiday (he is physically disabled as well), and though I would dearly love to replace all the carpets, frankly I can't be bothered with the upheaval involved, and nowhere to move the furniture to.

We have the means to have a choice, and the home my Mum was at was like a 5 star hotel. If necessary, I would sell my home and move into rented accommodation so that I could continue to fund the best care for him.

xx

Lizzieanne

SuziQ wrote: »

Lizzieanne, your post really warmed my heart!

Thank you!

My father-in-law's final years were made much so easier by this 'pot' of money - especially the last few months in the nursing home. We'd regularly visit and not actually get to see him because:
"Oh, he's gone over the British Legion with a few others and a carer...pop over there if you like"
"He's downstairs, there's a card making class"
"You've missed him again! He's on the first floor, there's someone having a birthday...go and say hello"
And each time we didn't disturb him because it distracted him too much and then he complained that he'd missed out on what was going on!

I can only echo what others have said about the power of choices. I wouldn't see someone with a pot of money as being at a disadvantage because they may not be able to claim anything - I see that they're at a huge advantage because they can pay for the best they can afford.

downshifter98

Think I should bow out - getting the feeling my argument might be wrong haha. Quite reassuring to learn that a chunk of money can actually buy better care......now I just have to find some.....(or not go into care).

downshifter98

Mojisola

downshifter98 wrote: »

(or not go into care).

Stay optimistic! The majority of us will never need residential care.

evenasus

Dunroamin wrote: »

How many "normal working class people" can save £100k, unless you include their home?

I usually agree with your posts Dunroamin.
But it depends what you class as working class.

I think you'll find, that there are people of working class that have, by the time they reach their 70's saved more than £100K.

pipkin71

sue4teddy wrote: »

My father received a redundancy payout over 20 years ago - about £30k. He lives a very frugal life, doesnt own his property, doesnt pay rent (he lives in tied accommodation which his old employers have allowed him to live in until the end of his days rent free). His only income is his state pension at about £180 per week and about £450 per year savings interest.

Our problem is he doesnt spend all his pension income each week and its adding to his savings pot. He is 78 and in poor health and it maybe he has to have some state help with cleaning and caring for himself at home. We know about the £23500 limit etc but want to know if the "pension income" which is adding to his savings will be taken into account too?

He's very old school so doesnt want to just spend money to stop it causing him a problem with benefits later in life.

Thanks

Social services will do a financial assessment based on all available income to determine how much your father will have to pay towards his care. You need to check your area but from my experience, there is a personal disregard plus a buffer of 25%, then there may be income disregards, depending on what benefits are being claimed and they will also look at any disability related expenditure before working out how much your father will have to contribute.

I think, if it makes your father's life easier, better to pay some of the costs towards his care than forgo care. In any event, you can ask for a financial assessment without committing to anything, so perhaps do that before making a final decision