Government alters payment for care proposals

monkeyspanner

The Government has sneaked out alterations to its care payment proposals.
http://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/pensioners-more-23-000-savings-115024900.html

Savvy_Sue

monkeyspanner wrote: »

The Government has sneaked out alterations to its care payment proposals.
http://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/pensioners-more-23-000-savings-115024900.html

I heard John Humphries harrumphing about this on Radio 4 the other day. I didn't hear that it was an alteration, as it were, but I couldn't work out why he was so incensed! If someone's got a home they're not living in any more, and savings, and they choose not to sell the home to finance the care they need, why should they not use their savings?

Or did I miss something?

Trebor16

I see this as a red herring as it takes the spotlight off the NHS and their responsibilities for funding those with primary health needs, something which is a postcode lottery at the moment.

margaretclare

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

I heard John Humphries harrumphing about this on Radio 4 the other day. I didn't hear that it was an alteration, as it were, but I couldn't work out why he was so incensed! If someone's got a home they're not living in any more, and savings, and they choose not to sell the home to finance the care they need, why should they not use their savings?

Or did I miss something?

Yes, you missed something. There has been a lot said on this site over the years which I could perhaps paraphrase as 'this is our/our children's inheritance, we paid our NI and taxes over the years, the Government wants to steal our house/savings, how can we protect our assets to hand on as a legacy...' and so on.

Trebor16

Sadly in many cases families have been conned by social services and the NHS when the issue of needing residential care has cropped up. But also those with health needs being cared for at home were also affected. Barbara Pointon fought long and hard to get the care provided at home included within NHS continuing care and eventually succeeded.

Savvy_Sue

margaretclare wrote: »

Yes, you missed something. There has been a lot said on this site over the years which I could perhaps paraphrase as 'this is our/our children's inheritance, we paid our NI and taxes over the years, the Government wants to steal our house/savings, how can we protect our assets to hand on as a legacy...' and so on.

On the contrary, I've not missed that at all ... I know that's how the argument goes, I just happen to not agree with it, and I was surprised to hear a man I'd previously considered to be moderately intelligent apparently arguing - with some heat! - that no-one should have to sell their home OR use their savings if they needed residential care.

I absolutely agree that the NHS continuing care situation is a scandal, but leaving that aside, if someone does NOT need nursing care but does need (or chooses) residential care, why should they not pay towards it?

After all, if you're in hospital your state pension stops after a certain no. of weeks, as does AA. I suppose that's wrong too?

Torry_Quine

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

On the contrary, I've not missed that at all ... I know that's how the argument goes, I just happen to not agree with it, and I was surprised to hear a man I'd previously considered to be moderately intelligent apparently arguing - with some heat! - that no-one should have to sell their home OR use their savings if they needed residential care.

I absolutely agree that the NHS continuing care situation is a scandal, but leaving that aside, if someone does NOT need nursing care but does need (or chooses) residential care, why should they not pay towards it?

After all, if you're in hospital your state pension stops after a certain no. of weeks, as does AA. I suppose that's wrong too?

Your state pension doesn't stop no matter how long you are in hospital.

Savvy_Sue

Torry_Quine wrote: »

Your state pension doesn't stop no matter how long you are in hospital.

Apologies, maybe it's just the AA, although I know Mum had to write and say Dad was in hospital, and advised both the DWP and the pensions people, and we ended up with an overpayment on both of them.

seven-day-weekend

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

Apologies, maybe it's just the AA, although I know Mum had to write and say Dad was in hospital, and advised both the DWP and the pensions people, and we ended up with an overpayment on both of them.

Maybe it was Pension Credit? I'm pretty sure the State Pension doesn't stop or get reduced.

monkeyspanner

Setting aside the issue of whether assets should be used to pay for care. When the proposals were announced they were not even close to the recommendations of Dilnot. However, one of the main thrusts of the publicity was that no one would be forced to sell their property as deferred payment arrangements would be made available for all. Now having given the impression that the issue was resolved the government has backtracked on their proposals and covered up the change. This is typical of the less than honest political approach we have in this country.

Perhaps they needed the money to pay for an increase in MPs salaries seeing as they are obviously more deserving than those needing care.

My conclusion - I want a box on the ballot paper that says "None of the above" so I can register my vote but express the opinion that no politician deserves it.

seven-day-weekend

Although I am sure everybody who has a house and savings would like their children to have it, it is only fair that if you have someone to make your breakfast, help you to have a shower and dress, that you should pay them if you have the means. Add to this a secure modern home with all the physical aids you need and staff on duty day and night, someone to cook and clean for you, and you can see that it is not going to be cheap. If you don't pay for it, then who does?

I know people who don't have the means don't have to pay, but that's because we live in a welfare state and look after those who don't have the means. However they do not have as much choice of which home they are in as those who pay for themselves and a married couple may even be in separate homes.

Nursing care is of course free although there is often an overlap between what denotes nursing and what denotes social care and this can often cause problems.

If you can think of a different way to fund care without anyone paying who can, I for one would welcome it.

And remember, no-one forces you to sell your house. What you have to do is pay the fee. If this can be done without the house sale, then you can keep it. I know someone who did this, she funded her care herself from her Pensions, AA , savings, and rent from her bungalow. She was then able to leave the bungalow to her heirs in her will.