Nursing Home Care - Having to Pay...

annamac1_2

After reading your thread cg81 as regards funding nursing home care in Scotland, we now find ourselves having to find whatever info we can on this, as my FIL has opted to go into a care home, as he is registered blind and just not coping anymore (with no family living in Scotland).
Can anyone just answer a few questions for me on this:
He has been awarded nursing care allowance of 149.00 p.w.
and will have to fund his board and lodgings from his own capital . The home charges about 700.00
p.w., so is the nursing care allowance in addition to this??
What will happen when his capital runs out (est. it will not last that long), will his immediate family then face a bill for the total home charges or do the Council take over some part-funding?
What steps should we take now in advance of his capital running out and should we take out Power of Attorney.
Thanks in advance.

annamac1_2

Whoops sorry, I seem to have posted twice!

LondonDiva

Take advice from Help the Aged.

Note that your father will not be paying for any nursing component of his care as there is a difference between nursing and residential homes. If he is in a nursing home and is paying towards the cost, he will be paying for the 'social' element of his care - help dressing, washing living day to day.

annamac1_2

I will do as you suggest, the Help the Aged information seems very clear to follow.
All the best for now.
Anna

haylibo

localhero wrote: »

The best source of free advice is from the Citizens Advice Bureau. The local authority/care home will almost always demand money whether they are legally entitled or not.

Who's liable to pay depends on his health. 'Health care' should be free - paid for by the state. 'personal care' is what he should be paying for.

Unfortunately there are many cases where all the care fees should be met by the state but it's not. Sadly it becomes necessary to argue (often involving litigation to obtain what is rightfully yours). Most people either accept what they're told and cough up or don't have the inclination/resources to fight.

Do take advice which is impartial though before deciding what to do.

Hear hear.

There are lots of people paying for health care which should be covered because the NHS try to get away with classifying such care as 'social care'. I have no clue about which agencies operate in Scotland or what the rules are there but it may be worth trying Help the Aged/Age Concern or similar and again, any agency which offers free legal advice. Sorry it's not much help but what I'm saying is, you're right to question the situation and I hope it works out in your favour.
Hayles

Amanda65

The Residents and Relatives Association is a fantastic organisation that I use a lot through work http://www.relres.org/

They run a helpline to help those in care/ going into care and their relatives and can advise on what your father should be paying and what should be covered by government funding.