Elderly parents living in poverty

xylophone

Improving their home with their capital would also make it more likely that the place would be suitable for their declining years?

Plug points at waist height, safe flooring, accessible shower with seat, loo with side bar supports etc?

ViolaLass

Hoonay wrote: »

Amazing isn't it? Some people actually not already knowing the law when it comes to gifting money/inheritance/savings/council tax deductions? Thank god for you setting people like me straight about my knowledge and tone - just what this forum was set up for (I imagine). Please carry on.

I don't know the law on these matters either but if you had asked me to guess, I would easily have plumped for 'getting someone to 'look after' your money so you can claim benefits' not being allowed. It would be mind-boggling if the system did allow it!

Goldiegirl

By asking for advice on a public forum, you often get advice that you don't want to hear - but, even if you don't want to hear it, it is good advice.

It seems they are choosing to live in the way they do. By selling the house, moving to a sheltered housing flat, they could be comfortable for the rest of their days

atush

Yes, they asked for advice because they DONT want to break laws. And were horribly advised by those who should know better which seems to have encouraged miserlyness in the elderly couple.

I dont hold the same view of opprobrium as some here. I get the tone of the question.

However, until I receive a reply as to why an 80 plus year old isn't claiming their SP despite my many requests, I too am out of this discussion.

TH1878

Hoonay wrote: »

Yes POVERTY. Strong word isn't it? When OAPS wrap themselves in newspaper to stay warm in bed in the winter, can't afford nursing, heating, emergency dental, orthopaedics, new shoes etc.

That's their choice though. They can afford all of those things.

They visited Citizens Advice Bureau a couple of years ago for advice and were told to not spend a penny of any savings as it will be needed for when one goes in to a care home and will probably get them a year to two years max. So they are now terrified to dip in to savings as it's kept only for that reason. They don't want to be separated and put in to hospices or homes so are imposing this on themselves - yes imposing being the operative word before the peanut gallery starts up again.

As a concerned daughter, of course I am going to ask in general what can be done.

Tell your parents to stop being so daft.

A NURSE suggested my father gifts his savings to a family member to look after so he can get a discount on council tax.

What time is your financial adviser's medical surgery open?

downshifter98

I don't get the impression that the main issue is deprivation of assets - it's just someone who finds themselves becoming responsible for elderly parents and desperately looking for ways to take control of the situation in a way that the parents would go along with - all of the advice given here is spot on but it can be awkward to make other people live in a fashion that goes against a lifetime of habits. The moral of the tale is don't get to your 80's with savings unless they are a considerable amount - sums such as £40,000 leave you in no mans land - sans benefits but scared to spend.

xylophone

it's just someone who finds themselves becoming responsible for elderly parents

And so needs to get a grip on the state pension situation and exactly how much money they do have?

Also to investigate any benefits to which they may be entitled, notably Attendance Allowance?

And to explain that using the capital to adapt their property may mean that a care home may never be necessary?

And surely a concerned daughter could provide some blankets?

atush

I agree.

One of them is due a SP which they have not been claiming.

downshifter98

xylophone wrote: »

And so needs to get a grip on the state pension situation and exactly how much money they do have?

Also to investigate any benefits to which they may be entitled, notably Attendance Allowance?

And to explain that using the capital to adapt their property may mean that a care home may never be necessary?

And surely a concerned daughter could provide some blankets?

Correct...

Cheeky_Monkey

atush wrote: »

I agree.

One of them is due a SP which they have not been claiming.

My understanding of the OP is that her father isn't eligible for a State Pension because although he worked for years and was self-employed, he chose not to pay his National Insurance Contributions :eek: