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

[Deleted User]

pollypenny said:

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

ah thanks still says £24K but I see its maxed at £100 a week.

[Deleted User]

Thats probably good news because at £15-£20 an hour its not cheap. Even one hour visit a day is going to be £105-£140 a week.

Only problem I've got is Dad is sticking to his "I paid taxes all my life, I'm not paying for a carer now". Its going to be a tough one because hes SO stubborn.

In the past, I got him a disabled facilities grant for a walk-in shower. Again, because of his savings he had to make a contribution of something like £400 towards it. Off he went "I'm not paying £400 for a shower - daylight robbery" (Ummm yes the entire job cost £9000 which shows how his view of money is)

He went 3 months not having a bath or shower in protest until I refused to visit (It did smell pretty bad in his flat) then he gave in. Still moans to this day about his expensive £400 shower.

Keep_pedalling

I am afraid when people are that set in their ways it is very difficult if not impossible to persuade then through logic. Refusing to have carer visits because he won’t pay for it makes it more likely that he will eventually require residential care or will need it earlier than he otherwise would have done, and assuming he owns his property then he might be even more upset that he has to self fund that.

diystarter7

sheramber said:

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

Is it similar in England or do you pay the full whack if you have over the above amounts?

diystarter7

[Deleted User] said:

Thats probably good news because at £15-£20 an hour its not cheap. Even one hour visit a day is going to be £105-£140 a week.

Only problem I've got is Dad is sticking to his "I paid taxes all my life, I'm not paying for a carer now". Its going to be a tough one because hes SO stubborn.

In the past, I got him a disabled facilities grant for a walk-in shower. Again, because of his savings he had to make a contribution of something like £400 towards it. Off he went "I'm not paying £400 for a shower - daylight robbery" (Ummm yes the entire job cost £9000 which shows how his view of money is)

He went 3 months not having a bath or shower in protest until I refused to visit (It did smell pretty bad in his flat) then he gave in. Still moans to this day about his expensive £400 shower.

Sadly, you dad will have a fall etc if he carrys on like that and end up in a home. Tell him its wise to spend a little now to save a lot and stay in the flat he loves.

HRH_MUngo

My friend cancelled her carers after six weeks because she would have had to pay.  She said they didn't do anything anyway.  Don't know how true that is.

(I think they probably didn't do what she wanted them to, such as ordering her online shop).

pollypenny

I had the carer battle with my aunt and now I'm having it with my neighbour, who is a very good  friend. 

However, yesterday the afternoon carer watered her plants. Saves me a job,then. 

theoretica

Oh dear, yes.  Might he be susceptible to the argument about how nice it is of him to use his saved money to employ people who really need the money?

74jax

[Deleted User] said:

Only problem I've got is Dad is sticking to his "I paid taxes all my life, I'm not paying for a carer now". Its going to be a tough one because hes SO stubborn.

I'm not sure on the bit in bold. What does the paying his taxes have to do with him not being able to look after himself?

Is he meaning he has always worked? And doesn't like how his body won't do what he wants anymore? I get that, and not sure how to get through to him he isn't as young as he used to be. Is there something in particular he used to do easily, that you can use to show he doesn't have the same body as back then maybe?

My dad used to walk miles and miles a day, as he got older and the cancer took a hold, in his mind he could still do this walking but his body sadly wouldn't let him. Do you think it's similar? 

Does he really not want the help? Is he happy as he is? It may end in a fall or something that means the decision is taken out of his hands, would he be happier that way, so it isn't actually him saying he needs help but someone else? 

lisyloo

HRH_MUngo said:

My friend cancelled her carers after six weeks because she would have had to pay.  She said they didn't do anything anyway.  Don't know how true that is.

(I think they probably didn't do what she wanted them to, such as ordering her online shop).

From one point of view they are essential for medication, fluid etc and generally  keeping an eye on someone but it’s true they often don’t do much, for example if client says they don’t fancy a shower then that’s it the carer will accept a no straightaway whereas in a decent care home people will be heavily persuaded into it. I’m not a saying they don’t care but they are under heavy time pressure often.
my FIL got pretty filthy and had thrush etc from not washing.
but sometimes it’s still the best option if family can’t be on hand all the time.

local authority is very much a safety net and last resort. It’s quite far off any ideal.