can we avoid care home charges

74jax

I don't think OP is a troll just someone who has amounted some savings and asked a question.

I'm with you all as my replies have shown, that the savings should be used to secure a good quality carehome as state carehomes can dramatically vary.

Hopefully the OP will look at our replies and realise its their savings and should be put to use helping them enjoy out their retirement. And not try to diddle the government.

Of course they've used the NHS, schools etc, the OPs reply - although wrong - was probably writen in anger/frustration at seeing their money being 'wasted' on their care. I think once they change how they see that and realise its a huge benefit they may change their views.

OP discuss again with your children, look at selling and buying somewhere much smaller to free up capital, I wouldn't suggest equity release as you've stated your house is large enough so move somewhere smaller. Your kids don't need an inhereitance, so enjoy your last years and be greatful you have kids who want to see you happy.

spaniel_dog

peachyprice wrote: »

That's quite amazing, you managed private healthcare, private pensions, private education, private transport, all on less than minimum wage. Martin Lewis should write a feature on your life.

think you are quite rude but yes thankfully until recent times we enjoyed good health, I paid private pension through my low paid NHS job, education and transport comes out the community charge which we paid like everyone else

sapphireeye

As others have said, this would be considered deprivation of assets, and so the money would still be taken into account regardless of who's bank account it's now in.

I just want to throw into the equation that if you want the government to pay your care home fees then you do need to have under £25,000 in savings (or double that if you're both going into a home) and their assessment has to show that you definitely need 24/7 residential care and your needs can't be met at home.
I work in Social Work and the current initiative is to keep people at home independently for as long as possible and so if I'm assessing for a care home placement I have to be able to find solid reasons as to why someone's needs can't be met at home, otherwise my manager won't agree to use government funding. We're monitored on how many placements we make, in that they should be as low as possible, this isn't down to cost because a large home care package would cost a lot more, but it's down to the fact that people remain more independent at home and potentially live longer. A lot of people's needs can be met at home these days, and most of the people that I've had care home placements agreed for have been those with Dementia where wandering has become a significant problem and the risks of them staying at home are too high. However there is new equipment being brought in that might mean that even those people can be supported at home in the near future.

People who fund themselves are able to choose when they feel they need to move into a home and they have the luxury of being able to choose any home they like. If the home is government funded then you're limited to the set weekly amount that your local council has agreed to pay and so your choice is more limited. This is a particular problem for people who want to be in a home that is within a mile or two of their family members, or if they don't like the homes that are on offer. If they want a more expensive home their family are asked to 'top-up' the extra money.


This study by Bupa: http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/33895/1/dp2769.pdf shows that on average people only live in a care home for around 2.5 years costing around £71,000 and so if you consider the amount of money someone could potentially have from a property sale (dependent on location of the property, whether they had a mortgage etc) then there could still be a considerable amount of money still available for inheritance.
If you were to get to the point where you were nearing only £25,000 available then you can apply to your local council to take over funding.

Having worked in the social care system, I feel that a lot can be said for the peace of mind that you can get from funding your own care.

spaniel_dog

jacques_chirac wrote: »

I'm smelling troll!

I was actually thinking there are more than one troll commenting on my post, I was led to believe this site was to seek advice not to be insulted some of you should stick to twitter and not join in a serious site like this

troubleinparadise

Grumpygit wrote: »

Oh's mum was on about this recently - she initally was going to sign the house over to OH/brother but was advised against this - purely down to the fact that then, it brings in other parties ie his wife and me and should we ever divorce, then that asset would be included within any settlement and technically, a sale could be forced leaving her homeless or such like.

The advice she got was to get a Power of Attorney drawn up for both financial and care (ie if necessary you could turn the machine off etc)

She was advised that the financial PoA would mean that if she went into a care home, then the house could be sold by the children (and the money invested) but the care home would only receive the interest on the invested money, not the money from the sale of the house with the state topping it up.

Edited to add: This only comes into force is she is mentally incapable ie dementia - this is not for just being "elderly or infirm"......thanks Tonymmm for pointing that out.

I don't think that advice was correct.

If your mother's financial assets mean that she would be self-funding, then she would be required to meet the whole care home charge (although there might be an element of Nursing Care funding from NHS depending on her health situation, or CHC funding, again if needs meet the criteria).

The money from the sale of the house, and whatever interest it accrues, would provide for the CH charges; there would be no "state topping it up" (LA payment?) until her funds fell below a certain level (£23,500).

arbroath_lass

spaniel_dog wrote: »

I am not arguing that some should pay and not others, my argument is why should anyone pay for what should be free and let those pay who want the luxury private end, these charges are not historic and like the latest proposed charges for NHS treatment, creep in under the radar, why not use your energy to fight for a better free service

Because it is and never was free. Someone has to pay and that will be through higher taxation. So you would really like ME to pay for your care when it is highly unlikely I will receive even a state pension despite having paid in all my life? Nice :mad:

I find it difficult to believe someone who can write reasonably well does not understand what their taxes pay for :rotfl:. I do hope you are a troll.

midnight_express

spaniel_dog wrote: »

I was actually thinking there are more than one troll commenting on my post, I was led to believe this site was to seek advice not to be insulted some of you should stick to twitter and not join in a serious site like this

My advice is don't do it. What you are proposing is fraud.

ognum

spaniel_dog wrote: »

Services you mention are paid from the Community Charge not National Insurance two entirely different sources funding I paid the small stamp until the age 40 then switched to full stamp to be told at age 60 had not paid enough in those 20 years to get a state pension, so paid for 20 years for no pension but happy to for the NHS etc
I am not arguing that some should pay and not others, my argument is why should anyone pay for what should be free and let those pay who want the luxury private end, these charges are not historic and like the latest proposed charges for NHS treatment, creep in under the radar, why not use your energy to fight for a better free service

I did not in my message say they were paid for from NI, I said you were not getting a pension from NI because you haven't paid in for it.

I simply said that you did use things provided by the state. I actually agree that there should be better universal care, you have worked in the NHS and must know that it doesn't exist.

I would be happy if everyone's care was funded by taxation and taxation increased by 10% to fund it but that will never happen as any party that put it in their manifesto would not get into power so we all have to live with what we have.

very few people will admit that they didn't work hard for their money just like you. So why should you keep yours when others can't?

Errata

Gaaah -I'm lost for words!

pollypenny

Errata wrote: »

Gaaah -I'm lost for words!

That's a first! . Diary.