Planning for potential care costs (for parent)

noclaf

Hi all,

Information-heavy post warning but trying to front load all relevant info.

I live with my elderly mother who was diagnosed with dementia over 10 years back. At present she does not receive additional care services from our local cc as she is still fairly independent but I would like to take steps to plan ahead since I am aware the condition can rapidly change/deteriorate with age.

I have questions relating to the property we live in since it's equally (and fully outright) owned by both parents however they are divorced and my father who is already in a care home under a different county council does not contribute to his care costs due to the nature of his medical conditions.
Now unless advised otherwise, I believe my mother will need to contribute to care costs and since I live in the property too naturally I want to have an idea of the 'what if' scenarios so can try to plan accordingly.
Who should I be reaching out to next...local council, charity such as ageuk or seeking legal advice or mum's GP?
As an FYI, if it's of relevance here
- I am of adult age and work full time. I am regarded as mum's carer by the council.and receive carers council tax discount plus mum is disregarded
- Mum.receives state and ex.employer pension plus attendance allowance
- house is outright and equally owned by parents only

Apologies for long post. Thanks

BrassicWoman

I've always found this community helpful.

https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/get-support/talking-point-our-online-community

Primrose

Age Uk might also be helpful
Have you got Power of Attorney for both parents, especially the Health & Welfare one ? It sounds as if it might be too late for you to get this for your father if he has a serious cognitive condition but if at all posibble do get one in place for your mum before she loses mental ability. You can draw them up online via the office of Public Guardian website.

Mojisola

noclaf wrote: »

I live with my elderly mother who was diagnosed with dementia over 10 years back. At present she does not receive additional care services from our local cc as she is still fairly independent but I would like to take steps to plan ahead since I am aware the condition can rapidly change/deteriorate with age.

I have questions relating to the property we live in since it's equally (and fully outright) owned by both parents however they are divorced and my father who is already in a care home under a different county council does not contribute to his care costs due to the nature of his medical conditions.

Now unless advised otherwise, I believe my mother will need to contribute to care costs and since I live in the property too naturally I want to have an idea of the 'what if' scenarios so can try to plan accordingly.

If you are over 60 when your mother needs residential care, the value of the home won't be included in the financial assessment.

Savvy_Sue

noclaf wrote: »

I have questions relating to the property we live in since it's equally (and fully outright) owned by both parents however they are divorced and my father who is already in a care home under a different county council does not contribute to his care costs due to the nature of his medical conditions.

Was no financial settlement made when they divorced? It seems unusual for a house to remain equally and fully outright owned by a divorced couple.

noclaf

Thanks for the responses and links, will try to answer all your questions.
when my parents divorced, both stated that their respective share's in the house should go to myself should anything happen to them. To my knowledge nothing else changed.
I do not have a poa for either parent, likely too late for dad. The council under which dad lives acts as an apointee to manage his finances etc I had an option to take poa more than 10 years back but at the time was advised not to do it based on legal advice received...so I didn't go forward with poa. For mum I will look into this.

Primrose

I,m surprised about the legal advice re your father,s p of A. The problem with a council appointee is that if they are responsible for his care and finances they could act as judge and jury and it might become difficult to challenge any issues if it were necessary.

I'd certainly get one set up for your mother while she still seems to have sufficient mental ability for it to be done. Could save you an awful lot of stress later if he affairs need to be actioned.

noclaf

Primrose wrote: »

I,m surprised about the legal advice re your father,s p of A. The problem with a council appointee is that if they are responsible for his care and finances they could act as judge and jury and it might become difficult to challenge any issues if it were necessary.

I'd certainly get one set up for your mother while she still seems to have sufficient mental ability for it to be done. Could save you an awful lot of stress later if he affairs need to be actioned.

Unfortunately it appears the legal advice I received was not necessarily accurate back when I was first asked about taking poa..it was along the lines of don't get involved since will be more headache than a good thing. However given that the council then acted as an apointee and that dads condition is fairly advanced now not sure it's worthwhile trying to push for it now. I will however look into mum's poa while I still can.
My main concern is around the scenario if my mum was to need a care home...if there are care costs which can't be covered by her pensions and benefits such as A.allowance and any cash assets..how do they treat her half of the property...do they turn around and say it needs to be sold up which means I have to vacate or is there a process they follow? I should add that my mum's cash assets are less than the 21k or whatever threshold they use however the property share she owns would.cover that hence my concerns.

Primrose

Are you under age 60? If so, the authorities may have a case for wanting the house to be sold but I would contact Age Uk as ai believe they used to have a legal department which could give free advice on issues such as this, of if this no longer exists they might be able to point you in the right direction. They used to issue a series of very detailed free fact sheets covering such questions which might be helpful to you

I think the value of your mother,s equity in the house would obviously take her over the £21K threshold so yes, if you are under 60 the roof over your head could be vulnerable. If you're coming up to that age I would try as hard as possible to get suitable care for her at home until you reach that age of at all practicable.

noclaf

Primrose wrote: »

Are you under age 60? If so, the authorities may have a case for wanting the house to be sold but I would contact Age Uk as ai believe they used to have a legal department which could give free advice on issues such as this, of if this no longer exists they might be able to point you in the right direction. They used to issue a series of very detailed free fact sheets covering such questions which might be helpful to you

I think the value of your mother,s equity in the house would obviously take her over the £21K threshold so yes, if you are under 60 the roof over your head could be vulnerable. If you're coming up to that age I would try as hard as possible to get suitable care for her at home until you reach that age of at all practicable.

I spoke to a specialist team at AGE UK earlier today and was very helpful..there are no easy or black and white answers but provided some additional perspective.it seems there are different variables that will influence the outcome and varies between each local authority.
I am in my 30's so may not be applicable for me but still aiming to care for mum at home as long as practicallly possible.