Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Elderly parents
Original poster

Care home funding

37 replies

Orangesandlemons77 · 15/07/2024 11:59

My dad is in respite care atm and it is costing 2K per week. he has dementia. Is this roughly correct / normal?

They have said when his savings go down to 23K he might get some council help but then it would only be up to £700 a week.

What would happen then? I mean if he can't afford it, would they kick him out?

OP posts:
Original poster
Orangesandlemons77 · 15/07/2024 12:32

UltramarineViolet · 15/07/2024 12:05

2K sounds a lot, most are less than £1500 per week but if it's a specialist dementia home then that might account for higher cost

I imagine that your father would be expected to use any income he has (pension) to top up the weekly cost once his savings drop to £23K

Gateway to care should be able to explain the options

Thanks, would that be for Scotland do you know?

OP posts:
Original poster
Orangesandlemons77 · 15/07/2024 12:31

MissMoneyFairy · 15/07/2024 12:15

How much money has he in savings, he needs a financial assessment. Ask the carehome if he can stay on once the money goes below the threshold, he should get assessed before then. If he's paying privately he can apply for attendance allowance and either chc or fnc payments to help towards the fees. Has he had a full care needs and financial assessment yet, what assets does he have including any cash.

Wouldn't attendance allowance and state pension stop while in the care home? I'm guessing together might add up to around £800 a month so would be a substantial amount

OP posts:
Original poster
Orangesandlemons77 · 15/07/2024 12:29

Summerpigeon · 15/07/2024 12:10

Recently been through this
Relative gave me POA
Relative with dementia needed to go in to a secure rest home
House had to be sold ,and profits used to pay the rest home fees
Well over £400,000 to start with .
Relative has about £15 ,ooo left in bank account and uses her pension and contribution from council to pay The rest .
Relative allowed to keep £15 ooo in bank account for clothes ,glasses funeral costs ect .
Council did try to move relative to a cheaper home ,when council took over paying..where she would of had to share a bedroom and use communal bathroom.
But I managed to argue against that ,and she was able to stay in her ensuite room ,in the care home

Wow, yes I can see how this might happen.

OP posts:
Original poster
Orangesandlemons77 · 15/07/2024 12:28

Oldermum84 · 15/07/2024 12:06

You need to ask them. Homes in my area have started to say if you can pay for 2 years self funding, they will then accept local authority rates when funds drop below the threshold. But not all do this.

£2k per week is high. Respite usually costs more than long term though so this may go down if he's staying there permanently. Again, ask them. How long would his savings last at this level?

I would probably be looking around for somewhere cheaper.

Sorry, just checked it is 2K per week for respite, £1750 per week staying long term. In Scotland, not sure if that makes any difference to anything.

OP posts:
Original poster
Orangesandlemons77 · 15/07/2024 12:27

JC03745 · 15/07/2024 12:01

Does he have a partner/wife? Where did he live before going to respite? Has the family home been sold? I'm afraid I don't know the answer, but beginning to go through this with a relative too.

No, he is divorced, lives alone in council sheltered housing, was not coping with 3X carers a day.

OP posts:
MissMoneyFairy · 15/07/2024 12:15

How much money has he in savings, he needs a financial assessment. Ask the carehome if he can stay on once the money goes below the threshold, he should get assessed before then. If he's paying privately he can apply for attendance allowance and either chc or fnc payments to help towards the fees. Has he had a full care needs and financial assessment yet, what assets does he have including any cash.

Summerpigeon · 15/07/2024 12:10

Recently been through this
Relative gave me POA
Relative with dementia needed to go in to a secure rest home
House had to be sold ,and profits used to pay the rest home fees
Well over £400,000 to start with .
Relative has about £15 ,ooo left in bank account and uses her pension and contribution from council to pay The rest .
Relative allowed to keep £15 ooo in bank account for clothes ,glasses funeral costs ect .
Council did try to move relative to a cheaper home ,when council took over paying..where she would of had to share a bedroom and use communal bathroom.
But I managed to argue against that ,and she was able to stay in her ensuite room ,in the care home

Oldermum84 · 15/07/2024 12:06

You need to ask them. Homes in my area have started to say if you can pay for 2 years self funding, they will then accept local authority rates when funds drop below the threshold. But not all do this.

£2k per week is high. Respite usually costs more than long term though so this may go down if he's staying there permanently. Again, ask them. How long would his savings last at this level?

I would probably be looking around for somewhere cheaper.

UltramarineViolet · 15/07/2024 12:05

2K sounds a lot, most are less than £1500 per week but if it's a specialist dementia home then that might account for higher cost

I imagine that your father would be expected to use any income he has (pension) to top up the weekly cost once his savings drop to £23K

Gateway to care should be able to explain the options

JC03745 · 15/07/2024 12:01

Does he have a partner/wife? Where did he live before going to respite? Has the family home been sold? I'm afraid I don't know the answer, but beginning to go through this with a relative too.

Original poster
Orangesandlemons77 · 15/07/2024 12:00

He doesn't have any assets, to be clear. Family can't afford to 'chip in' as the care home suggested.

OP posts:
Swipe left for the next trending thread