Financial Assessment for care home

pkbenji

My mum (who has Vascular dementia) and dad ( who is prone to falling and needs aids to walk due to dizziness) moved to a rented social housing bungalow 10 months ago, They left the property which they own as it was unsafe for my dad with the layout and stairs. The house they own has been kept empty and not sold as it was backup in case things didn't work out at the bungalow, as they was only renting. Two months ago we decided to put my mum into a care home as my dad was really struggling to cope with her dementia getting worse. We started paying the care home as self funded but the money they had in savings soon got to the threshold, so I contacted social services she sorted out a financial assessment. I mentioned the house which they own but they said that shouldn't effect the assessment has my dad is only renting where they are at the moment, if any thing went wrong he had the house to fall back, on as they have worked all there life to pay for the house. The financial assessor came came round and went through everything and started laughing when I mentioned the house and what the social worker had said, he said they always get thing wrong and he had to go and check with his manager but was sure the house would have to be sold or we have to enter a deferred payment scheme. I received an email yesterday saying my dad would either have to move back into the house, sell or enter the DPS within 6 weeks as my mum will not be funded. If my dads dizziness gets better he would move back tomorrow but at the moment its too unsafe. Can anyone give me any advise on what are the best options for my dad ? It's such a traumatic time sorting out care for your parents never mind trying to deal with the finances. many thanks 

eskbanker

I could be wrong but don't believe that an unoccupied property can be exempted from a financial assessment simply on the basis that it's there 'just in case', so on the face of it it does sound like the email summarises the available options.

Edit: on reflection, can't he sell and use the proceeds to buy a more suitable property in which to live?

FlorayG

I also think that's correct. Your father HAS a home, he rents one, so the house is not considered exempt - it would only be exempt if forcing a sale would leave him homeless. If he cannot live there now due to safety concerns then genuinely - what are the chances he's ever going to improve sufficiently to move back there? so you may as well sell it
Not relevant to your question but I'm very curious as to how they got social housing when they have a house they own; there would be zero chance of that in my area

pkbenji

Thanks for your comments, I originally thought it would be the case, it just with the social worker saying that it wouldn't be added got my hopes up. It's not exactly a social housing more a retirement housing where he pays rent.
If he sells he will only get half the proceeds which wouldn't be enough to buy another house more suitable .  

poolboy

You could rent the empty house out to help fund the care fees, or sell it if you want a less stressful life.

IanManc

pkbenji said:

My mum (who has Vascular dementia) and dad ( who is prone to falling and needs aids to walk due to dizziness) moved to a rented social housing bungalow 10 months ago, They left the property which they own as it was unsafe for my dad with the layout and stairs. The house they own has been kept empty and not sold as it was backup in case things didn't work out at the bungalow, as they was only renting. Two months ago we decided to put my mum into a care home as my dad was really struggling to cope with her dementia getting worse. We started paying the care home as self funded but the money they had in savings soon got to the threshold, so I contacted social services she sorted out a financial assessment. I mentioned the house which they own but they said that shouldn't effect the assessment has my dad is only renting where they are at the moment, if any thing went wrong he had the house to fall back, on as they have worked all there life to pay for the house. The financial assessor came came round and went through everything and started laughing when I mentioned the house and what the social worker had said, he said they always get thing wrong and he had to go and check with his manager but was sure the house would have to be sold or we have to enter a deferred payment scheme. I received an email yesterday saying my dad would either have to move back into the house, sell or enter the DPS within 6 weeks as my mum will not be funded. If my dads dizziness gets better he would move back tomorrow but at the moment its too unsafe. Can anyone give me any advise on what are the best options for my dad ? It's such a traumatic time sorting out care for your parents never mind trying to deal with the finances. many thanks 

If you want to avoid the sale of the house and your father has trouble with the layout and stairs then I suggest you rent - not buy - a stairlift for the house, which deals with the stair problem; and then get social services round to advise on any adaptions, such as grab rails, handles near steps, moving furniture to create wider accesses etc, which would help with the layout; and move him back into his house.