Becoming a paid carer for my mum

Skibunny40

After a recent stay in hospital, it's become clear that my 86yo mum needs extra care at home. However because she has no medical illness ( just old) it seems that the NHS won't provide that care - and I'd probably feel more comfortable knowing it was me doing it anyway, there are so many horror stories out there.

I'm considering giving up my part-time job to look after her, but I still need to earn money! Is she allowed to pay me from her savings, or would this count as deprivation of assets if she had to go into a home later?

Any advice / suggestions graetefully received!

NeilCr

Does she get/has she a claim in for Attendance Allowance?

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/attendance-allowance/

If she does then you may be able to claim Carers Allowance for her. That may help a bit

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/carers-allowance/

Information on deprivation of assets here

https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/care/social-care-and-support-where-to-start/paying-for-care-support/deprivation-of-assets/

It's a bit of a grey area. On the face of it I wouldn't have thought paying for a carer would count but I don't know the full situation. I'd suggest seeking advice before making a decision

pearl123

Also sign up to carers uk forum. Carers uk have a section on their forum about working part- time and still getting carers allowance. You can earn up to £120.00 a week and plus carers allowance. There are also ways to earn more but place any extra cash into a pension.

Out,_Vile_Jelly

I would speak to Age UK for legal and practical advice. It is not a decision to make lightly.

Skibunny40

I've been told she won't qualify for Attendance Allowance because she doesn't have anything "wrong" with her, she's just old! Would it be worth applying anyway?

Off to check out the Carers UK forum now.

This is a whole new world to me so your help is much appreciated.

Ames

Skibunny40 wrote: »

I've been told she won't qualify for Attendance Allowance because she doesn't have anything "wrong" with her, she's just old! Would it be worth applying anyway?

Off to check out the Carers UK forum now.

This is a whole new world to me so your help is much appreciated.

Who told you that? Was it a professional or just a friend?

Mojisola

Skibunny40 wrote: »

After a recent stay in hospital, it's become clear that my 86yo mum needs extra care at home.

I'm considering giving up my part-time job to look after her, but I still need to earn money! Is she allowed to pay me from her savings, or would this count as deprivation of assets if she had to go into a home later?

Paying for care would not be considered deprivation of assets.

If she needs help with basic living, she should be entitled to AA.

If she gets that, you could claim CA or you could just be paid directly by your Mum.

Be aware that she would then become your employer and would have to comply with relevant legislation.

I have a relative who gave up work to be his father's carer and it's worked very well.

Flugelhorn

if she needs you to help her then she should get attendance allowance, my relatives got it well before we had to get more formal care organised

Skibunny40

Sorry, can't figure out how to highlight the text but to answer Ames, it was a nurse when Mum was in hospital that said she wouldn't qualify - based on the fact that Mum claims she's perfectly capable of doing everything for herself ( & genuinely seems to believe it) when I know she's not and that she doesn't have an illness.

Given that my aunt has macular degeneration & didn't get Attendance Allowance (got a blue disabled badge though) I assumed the criteria was really high.

Will definitely apply now though.

elsien

NHS might not provide care as she has no nursing needs, but that doesn't mean that the local authority won't. I would suggest the first step is to request a needs assessment for her under the Care Act. This will identify any support needs that she may have and see if there are any services that found help. Following the assessment there would be a financial assessment to see if she would self fund or not. How to access the needs assessment would be through social services but the links will be on her local authority website. It's not about any particular labels or diagnoses, just what needs people may have on a day to day basis that they might need help with.

Hospital staff do get it wrong at times - part of the rush to get people out, I suspect.

jackieblack

https://www.gov.uk/attendance-allowance/eligibility