In home elderly care - how does it work and who pays?

[Deleted User]

Elderly Dad has had a few hospital visits recently. Health-wise hes OK for his age (87) but hes getting on a bit now.

In the past, hes had stair lift, bathroom etc fitted by social services.

They've now given him 6 weeks of in-home care. Im guessing this is standard?

What happens after that? Am I right its means tested? I know he gets a little pension credit but I know he gets less of this than he could because he has savings - not a massive amount about £30K or so.

Alas, over the years, I've tried and tried to get him to spend money (his flat could do with some new furniture- his wardrobe in his bedroom is falling apart - its actually pre-war - pre-1st world war) but he refuses. Its not good to hoard it like he has done because I fear he could end up paying for his own care now and that will REALLY upset him.

Stubborn is not the word for my Dad - I've never seen anyone like it!

Bossyboots

Yes, you are correct that it will be means tested after the six weeks if he is still going to need the care.  As he has savings there is the option of choosing an independent care company to provide the care.  He should be claiming Attendance Allowance which, although only a fraction of the cost of care, will help. Once his savings get below £23,500 the local authority should contribute toward the costs and when it gets to £14,000 they will pick up the full costs.

He should have a means and care needs assessment, ideally before the six weeks is up. With my MIL it was actually nearly three months before social services were in contact about the assessment during which time their provided care would have continued but we had already moved to a private company fully funded by MIL.

lisyloo

There will be an assessment which is means tested. Looking at his savings he would need to pay for a while until his savings are depleted. He is allowed to spend on things for himself so if he needed a reclining chair (for example) he could buy that but he would need to provide the receipts. 

Mojisola

paulfoel said:

I know he gets a little pension credit but I know he gets less of this than he could because he has savings - not a massive amount about £30K or so.

Alas, over the years, I've tried and tried to get him to spend money (his flat could do with some new furniture- his wardrobe in his bedroom is falling apart - its actually pre-war - pre-1st world war) but he refuses. Its not good to hoard it like he has done because I fear he could end up paying for his own care now and that will REALLY upset him.

So - show him that there are two choices - spend a little on replacements (there are some amazing bargains in charity furniture stores) and any other aids/new furniture/house repairs that would help him or spend it all on care.

lisyloo

Mojisola said:

paulfoel said:

I know he gets a little pension credit but I know he gets less of this than he could because he has savings - not a massive amount about £30K or so.

Alas, over the years, I've tried and tried to get him to spend money (his flat could do with some new furniture- his wardrobe in his bedroom is falling apart - its actually pre-war - pre-1st world war) but he refuses. Its not good to hoard it like he has done because I fear he could end up paying for his own care now and that will REALLY upset him.

So - show him that there are two choices - spend a little on replacements (there are some amazing bargains in charity furniture stores) and any other aids/new furniture/house repairs that would help him or spend it all on care.

He won’t have to spend it ALL on care. Only above certain levels.

[Deleted User]

Bossyboots said:

Yes, you are correct that it will be means tested after the six weeks if he is still going to need the care.  As he has savings there is the option of choosing an independent care company to provide the care.  He should be claiming Attendance Allowance which, although only a fraction of the cost of care, will help. Once his savings get below £23,500 the local authority should contribute toward the costs and when it gets to £14,000 they will pick up the full costs.

He should have a means and care needs assessment, ideally before the six weeks is up. With my MIL it was actually nearly three months before social services were in contact about the assessment during which time their provided care would have continued but we had already moved to a private company fully funded by MIL.

I'll have to check what hes claiming now but I think he gets that anyway. He does get a fair bit I know but hes been saving it - which is mad at 87 years of age.

[Deleted User]

Mojisola said:

paulfoel said:

I know he gets a little pension credit but I know he gets less of this than he could because he has savings - not a massive amount about £30K or so.

Alas, over the years, I've tried and tried to get him to spend money (his flat could do with some new furniture- his wardrobe in his bedroom is falling apart - its actually pre-war - pre-1st world war) but he refuses. Its not good to hoard it like he has done because I fear he could end up paying for his own care now and that will REALLY upset him.

So - show him that there are two choices - spend a little on replacements (there are some amazing bargains in charity furniture stores) and any other aids/new furniture/house repairs that would help him or spend it all on care.

Now if I had a pound for every time I tried to explain this to him I'd be a millionaire!!!!

Nope, his argument is I was poor when I was a kid so I don't want to waste my money now. Telling him it will be taken off him (in effect) just draws a blank look as if he thinks its not going to happen.

[Deleted User]

Bossyboots said:

Yes, you are correct that it will be means tested after the six weeks if he is still going to need the care.  As he has savings there is the option of choosing an independent care company to provide the care.  He should be claiming Attendance Allowance which, although only a fraction of the cost of care, will help. Once his savings get below £23,500 the local authority should contribute toward the costs and when it gets to £14,000 they will pick up the full costs.

He should have a means and care needs assessment, ideally before the six weeks is up. With my MIL it was actually nearly three months before social services were in contact about the assessment during which time their provided care would have continued but we had already moved to a private company fully funded by MIL.

Yeh hes got more than £23K I know of.....

Interesting - I was wondering that. What happens after 6 weeks. So it will continue for free until they do the assessment?
Thats good - otherwise I know he'd just cancel it after 6 weeks without doubt.

Mojisola

lisyloo said:

He won’t have to spend it ALL on care. Only above certain levels.

I meant that he will have to spend all the money over the set point on care if he doesn't use it for basic things like replacing broken furniture.

pollypenny

I think you live in Wales, Paul, so the level at which your dad has to pay is higher. £40k?  

sheramber

pollypenny said:

I think you live in Wales, Paul, so the level at which your dad has to pay is higher. £40k?  

https://gov.wales/charging-social-care

Non-residential care

You may have to pay up to a maximum of £100 a week if:

• you have a high level of disposable income
• you have savings and investments over £24,000, not including the value of your home

In deciding charges for non-residential care, local authorities must allow you to keep a set amount to help you meet your daily living costs.

Residential care

If you have capital over £50,000 you may have to pay the full cost of your residential care.

If your capital is at or below this limit, the local authority will help pay for your residential care.

How much you pay towards this care will be calculated from your eligible income, such as pensions or welfare benefits.

Local authorities must ensure you are left with at least £35.00 a week to spend on personal item