Care Home Fees Conundrum

Nebulous2

lisyloo wrote: »

In most cases that is false.
60% of us are net takers (and yes there are links for that).
Some people (like my MIL) think they have paid all their life (which they have) on a supermarket checkout salary, but that doesn't go far when residential homes are £800 per week, hospital beds £3K per week and intensive care about £10K per night.

I didn't say it was true. People have been sold that though. There is a pervasive mythology which has come to be widely believed that the 'other' is taking advantage.

There's a dis-connect between paying tax (which is seen as a bad thing) and wanting good services.

Also there's a resentment about those who get a free-ride.
I think the pendulum has swung the other way and whilst I totally see the need to see off free loaders the nasty party have made genuine cases struggle to make ends meet.

The free ride is part of the same myth. Find a few stories of people who have cheated and draw conclusions about millions of people by association.

Often the people who are most indignant are people in receipt of benefits (which includes pensions) while refusing to see the dual standards they are clinging to.

Mojisola

billy2shots wrote: »

My gripe is when people are no longer able to receive the required level of care they need within their home because their care needs have deteriorated over time. It's at these times when the process can fall down due to many factors but the greatest one is local authorities health and social care budget.

My father was a bed blocker in hospital because the funding committee thought he could manage at home with four daily visits from carers despite everyone who had done a evaluation of him saying that he needed 24/7 care.

Eventually, we moved him into the home and the committee relented when the care home report on him said exactly what the SW, OT and hospital had reported.

He was much happier in the home than he had been in his own house because of the company and his health really picked up after the move.

wolfplayer

This thread developed into an interesting read on many care-issues, including costs and paying for it.

Good arguments and good points made on many sides of things.

lisyloo

even with the downsides of different carers

Our parents mostly got the same carers and they became familiar with the same people and enjoyed their company. Obviously those staff have holiday and illness but the LA will try to provide conitnuity and match the people e.g. by gender.

My gripe is when people are no longer able to receive the required level of care they need within their home because their care needs have deteriorated over time. It's at these times when the process can fall down due to many factors but the greatest one is local authorities health and social care budget.

and you've also heard other people on here say they don't want to pay to keep the !!!!less in the lap of luxury.
I'm certainly not saying all those who can't afford it are !!!!less, my MIL worked from 14 to 72 and could have done no more, but you've heard that sentiment first hand.

There is a pervasive mythology which has come to be widely believed that the 'other' is taking advantage.

Agree my own view is that the majority are not taking advantage but I also understand the indignation.

Find a few stories of people who have cheated and draw conclusions about millions of people by association.

It's not just free-loading by a few, but perceived inefficiency in public services, perceived high salaries/bonuses for some and perceived gold plated pensions (note liberal use of perceived). Generally Im in agreement with you.

lisyloo

My father was a bed blocker in hospital because the funding committee thought he could manage at home with four daily visits from carers despite everyone who had done a evaluation of him saying that he needed 24/7 care.

Interesting.
My FIL was very poorly, in fact only lived 11 days in care.
The hospital minised his status to the care home, because they could do no more for him and wanted to get shot of him.

The care home might not have taken him had they known the full picture, but he was most comfortable there. Hospital is a very disrputive environment both from the point of view of the staff but also some of the other patients on elderly wards.
We were frequently call nurses and stopping patients from pulling drips out and falling out of bed when visiting and no staff on the ward.


But clearly some of people we think should be telling the whole truth don't always due to another motive.

Keep_pedalling

elsien wrote: »

There are also many people who would much prefer to stay in their own home, even with the downsides of different carers and having to go to bed at a time not if their choice.
It's not just about saving money, it's also about wishes, preferences and emotional/psychological wellbeing. Finances obviously come into it, but I do think Billy is giving only part of the picture.

Too true, we will only go into residential care if we get beyond the stage where even live in carers are no longer adequate for our needs.

lisyloo

Keep_pedalling wrote: »

Too true, we will only go into residential care if we get beyond the stage where even live in carers are no longer adequate for our needs.

I would say this is very common to have a preference to say in your home.



Visits can start from one per day.
You might have a particular issue.
As an example my FIL could not get into bed as his legs were really heavy due to cellulitis, but he could cook,wash, dress etc. He only needed someone to life his legs into the bed.


It's far better in general for people to stay as independent as they can for as long as they can.


People only need to be in a home when they exceed the 4 care visits a day.

Mojisola

lisyloo wrote: »

I would say this is very common to have a preference to say in your home.

Visits can start from one per day.
You might have a particular issue.
As an example my FIL could not get into bed as his legs were really heavy due to cellulitis, but he could cook,wash, dress etc. He only needed someone to life his legs into the bed.

It's far better in general for people to stay as independent as they can for as long as they can.

People only need to be in a home when they exceed the 4 care visits a day.

If the only human contact a person has is four rushed carer visits a day, life can be very lonely.

It can suit some people to be on their own that much but, when you're not very mobile, having other people around can be a big boost. It certainly improved my Dad's well-being.

I've got health problems that affect my opportunities for getting out of the house. My OH still works away occasionally and I find those days very long and time passes very slowly.

If anything happened to him, I think I would have to seriously consider moving from home into some sort of supported accommodation, just so that I wouldn't be alone all the time.

fred246

I had an elderly relative living on their own with dementia. It was horrible to see. Social services said she was fine. It was like leaving a two year old on their own. Go in and throw them some food. Change their nappy. Then they are OK for a few hours. You would never leave a child like that but it's fine when they are old. She was so much better in a home with other humans around.

lisyloo

Mojisola - Did you Dad want to go into a home? Many people don't even though it might be the best thing for them.


fred246 - same question, was she averse to going? My MIL (dimensia) did not want to go into a home (but was keen to get out of hospital). We had to "wait" until she fell and was moved from hospital to a home as she wouldn't go voluntarily.