can we avoid care home charges

spaniel_dog

Soleil_lune wrote: »

Hi SD.

I'm so sorry you feel this way. I can see both sides here, and I can understand why your post got peoples backs up, but some people are very harsh in their answers when something irritates them.

But in a way, I can see it from your point of view actually 'why should I have to sell my home for my care and deprive my daughters of their inheritance when I (and my husband) have worked all our lives virtually, when people who did not buy their own homes, and always rented, get their care free?' Many have asked this and it is a fair question. It does seem unfair.

Unfortunately, some of the things that you posted did not add up ('I had private this and private that,' but then said 'I was on minimum wage and had hardly anything...') unless you're on about differing stages in your life... So this was picked up on too. And it's correct that people pay into the state to help them when they need it and to help others;; not so they can get the lot back when they retire, and try every trick in the book to make sure they get it.

But again, I can understand your frustration and annoyance at how you have seemingly worked so hard for so long, and are having to subsequently be 'punished' while others seemingly 'take take take' all their lives . It's a never-ending debate, to which there is no correct answer, and nobody can ever be right.

As some people on here have said though; if you 'do' wait and sell your home for your care, then you may get better care if you go private. That said: if you don't have a MASSIVE amount of equity, (say £40K) then in a private care home that is not going to go far. Some cost £2000 to £3000 a month. So £40K is not going to go far.

I also disagree with all state funded homes being awful: my best friend works in one, caring for the disabled and elderly, and it has 55 patients, and they do lots of activities with them, and they love it there. Maybe a few are awful, but I am pretty sure a few privately funded ones are too!

Once again SD. Don't take the harsh comments to heart. Many people on here are friendly people. Don't be put off

I worked in the NHS care assistant the wage was minimum but had to pay private pension had no choice did not qualify for state pension although since learned if I didnt have that private pension would have got pension credit which is not much less than my superan pension which isnt a lot because I didnt earn much, and it as done me out of any other benefits, so I could have saved all that I paid in and lived on benefits now, having a private pension does not mean you are rich in fact the opposite just means you cant get any state help, my monthly pension is less than someone on state pension

Soleil_lune

spaniel_dog wrote: »

I have always paid my way when its just, I will not line the pockets of private care owners I know some of them through my work history and they rake it in, I dont agree with private care when so many cant afford, I dont like discrimination, I could have afforded to pay poll tax but I chose to riot instead and we made better world for todays generation the same generation that have said I live in a selfish bubble, my father and all the generations of my family were miners and if you have the Christmas card that was put out at time of miners struggle, you can spot me and my other half in the middle of the march holding the banner, the card was called 'we all struggle with the miners' we got soaked that day and my other half ended up with pneumonia ever since his working and earning capability reduced, this is the actions of what others have said is selfish, they want to get facts right

You little rebel you!

spaniel_dog

mountainofdebt wrote: »

Private care homes have only flourished as society as deemed it impractical or woudl rather not have the family not to look after its eldery.

Of course if you wanted to protect your daughters inheritance to the max you could always ask them to look after you when the time comes

sure they will do what they can but if they gave up their job then this country would be a teacher and nurse less, does that make any sense

Soleil_lune

spaniel_dog wrote: »

I worked in the NHS care assistant the wage was minimum but had to pay private pension had no choice did not qualify for state pension although since learned if I didnt have that private pension would have got pension credit which is not much less than my superan pension which isnt a lot because I didnt earn much, and it as done me out of any other benefits, so I could have saved all that I paid in and lived on benefits now, having a private pension does not mean you are rich in fact the opposite just means you cant get any state help, my monthly pension is less than someone on state pension

Like I said, I can see why you're miffed, I honestly can, but I can also see the side of some of the posters here. I just sometimes wish people wouldn't be so harsh in their replies.

spaniel_dog

Nicki wrote: »

But why?

State funded care for elderly people who cannot live independently and have no assets to pay for it is part of the welfare system. It isn't and hasn't for a long time been a universal benefit. You might just as well say that everyone of working age should get a payment equivalent to Income Support whether they are in work or not, or that the whole population should get housing benefit irrespective of means.

The reason you came in for criticism is because you knew that this was a means tested benefit and were asking for advice on how to defraud the system.

no I was asking what the effects would be not knowing how it all works

Errata

having a private pension does not mean you are rich in fact the opposite just means you cant get any state help

That's very true, so why do you think those who have a small private pension and a state pension should pay tax in order to fund the care home costs you don't want to pay?

mountainofdebt

spaniel_dog wrote: »

sure they will do what they can but if they gave up their job then this country would be a teacher and nurse less, does that make any sense

about as much sense as asking a shop assistant on min wage to fund your daughters' inheritance.

barbarawright

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

If you mean council tax, it only covers a small percentage of local government expenses. Most council funding comes from central government.

tooldle

You mention paying into a private pension, then you call it superannuation. Do you mean that you are a retired member of the nhs pension scheme?

Kaz2904

I am stopped around £700 per month from my wages (tax, NI, pension and union fees). Even if the whole amount went towards my health care, my children's schooling and their healthcare until they are no longer my responsibility, I have taken out more than I have paid in. Add in care needed when I'm older and my monthly stoppages would cover 1 weeks care. Hmm. Makes you think doesn't it?

Nowadays, it is more of a need to have care homes as women are working so are less able to become carers. We're more geographically mobile too so are more likely to live a long distance from relatives.

It's just one of those things unfortunately, if you want guarantees, you will have to dip your hand into your own pocket.