Elderly Lady Moving from HA Accommodation to Nursing Home

Lou1973

Sorry, I have more questions. It's been almost two weeks since we heard from anyone from Social Services, and I have not been given any contact details, so I cannot speak to them. The last I heard was that she does not need nursing care, but needs further assessment to identify her ongoing needs and that a social worker would be assigned to her.

I believe the lady said her free period in the nursing home was due to end on the 10th March.

I mentioned before that she is quite some distance away from where I live, and I have to travel to her house each week to check on her pets. This, obviously, is not an ideal situation for either her pets or me. What I had expected to be a few weeks has now turned into several months (taking into account her hospital stay, too).

My questions are: are there any timescales that are relevant to her assessment, or is that a "how long is a piece of string" type question?
Secondly, with regards to her two-week free period (sorry, I most likely have got all terminology wrong here) being up, what happens now? Do the Housing Association just take over the costs of this? Are there likely to be conversations going on between SS and HA?

Thanks in advance.

elsien

You can phone at the local authority duty team and ask what is happening but there is a waiting list for social workers to be allocated so it is a bit how long is a bit of string.

She is still entitled to housing benefit for her housing association place whilst she is still technically in a short term bed, which is until the local authority do what they need to do and confirm a long-term place, if that is what happens. Although they should be looking at supporting her to go home as a lesser restrictive option if that hasn’t already been tried with proper support.
The housing association won’t be involved in any payments for this, and if she doesn’t return her capacity to end the tenancy herself also needs to be considered.

Some benefits should go on hold after four weeks in Hospital/care home - is she aware of this and able to inform the DWP of her current change in circumstances because if not, she might be building up a debt. Depends on what benefits she gets and again, depending on her capacity specifically around finances, there may be a need for an appointee moving forwards. The social worker would need to be made aware of this, when allocated.

The assessment she has with the local authority does not mean a care home is guaranteed, it means they will look at her going home with Support and how feasible that is before they look at 24 hour care. If you are unable to support with the Care Act assessment because of distance, then she is entitled to an independent advocate and the local authority has a duty to refer. That’s not optional.

You don’t need to worry about paying for the nursing home - she’s not a self funder. It’s not her problem and health and the local authority can argue that out between themselves. However, if the care home ask her to sign any sort of agreement, she should say no and direct them back to the local authority.

If she wants to go home with support then it may speed things up if when you do phone duty, you tell them she’s objecting to her current placement and would be looking to make a challenge under the DOLS to the court of protection. That tends to focus their minds.
One of those situations where those who shout loudest might get seen quicker.

Lou1973

Once again, thank you for the replies. This is great information.

She doesn't claim any benefits, so to my knowledge, the only income she gets is her national pension and a small private pension. She doesn't believe she should claim any benefits, but I know her two pensions don't amount to a lot.

I will try and get hold of the local authority duty team to see if there are any updates.

Thank you!

Blue_Doggy

Regarding your friend’s pets, the Cinnamon Trust may be able to arrange a foster home for them.

Lou1973

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81928524#Comment_81928524

Thank you for the heads up!
This is something that she has planned for many years, and already has someone who will be taking all of her pets when the time comes.