Care Home Fees where house in sole name

Mr_Toad

Errata wrote: »

There's no wonder LA's are skint and unable to properly fund those who wish to stay in their own homes with LA support.

The whole system is a mess.

Because of the way the current rules work there is no incentve for people to save. If they save and have money in the bank they pay for any care needed until the money is gone. If the spend the money and then they need care they still get the care they need and it's state funded.

Caring for people in their own home is always the preferred option if the state is funding as it is more often than not a lot cheaper than a care home. They will usually go down this route until the person is no longer safe to be left alone as it keeps care home places free for those that need them. With dementia people soon reach the point where they need 24/7 care to keep them safe.

troubleinparadise

Taken from the Department of Health: Charging for Residential Accommodation Guide (CRAG); Section 7: Treatment of Property:

7.003 Where the resident no longer occupies a dwelling as their home, its value should still be disregarded where it is occupied in whole or in part as their only or main home by

• the resident's partner, former partner or civil partner (except where the resident is estranged or divorced from the partner, former partner or civil partner)

• a lone parent who is the claimant’s estranged or divorced partner

• a relative (as defined at 7.004) of the resident or member of the residents family (as
defined at 7.007) who
- is aged 60 or over, or
- is a child of the resident aged under 16, or
- is incapacitated.

Link to the full document:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/301250/CRAG_34_April_2014.pdf

ETA: Sorry, I see I've cross-posted with Mojisola, but have left it as a quick read for anyone skimming through the thread...

Mojisola

Mr_Toad wrote: »

Caring for people in their own home is always the preferred option if the state is funding as it is more often than not a lot cheaper than a care home. They will usually go down this route until the person is no longer safe to be left alone as it keeps care home places free for those that need them. With dementia people soon reach the point where they need 24/7 care to keep them safe.

Unfortunately, because care at home is cheaper, they are often kept at home long past the point where residential care would be more appropriate.

Mr_Toad

Mojisola wrote: »

Unfortunately, because care at home is cheaper, they are often kept at home long past the point where residential care would be more appropriate.

Saddly i agree but it depends largely on he LA concerned and the person you deal with, they either stick to the rules rigidly or interpret them for the benefit of the person needing care.

I was lucky in getting the latter. When Mum went in for two weeks respite care they assessed her and decided that one person could no longer look after her safely so she never came home. Her care is funded by the LA.

I have nothing but praise for Social Services in my LA they have been fantastic.