Care home demanding more money.

[Mutunus]

Apologies for posting in AIBU but desperately need some advice and not sure where to post.
97 year old father in care home. He's been there 5 years. Poor soul doesn't have a life as such now, just stays in bed sleeping 23 hours a day.
Care home have now asked for an extra £250 a week to keep him, but I can't afford that.
3 other homes nearby but all charge much the same. Awaiting decision from council re; upping their contribution but not holding out much hope. Is there anything I can do to keep him there. I might have to consider a bank loan but the thought of him being there another 4 or 5 years is upsetting from a financial and quality of life point of view. Thankyou for reading

Sorry, didn't mean to hit the vote button!

If he has no assets then the council have to fund a home. It may not be that one (though if it's a standard price then they will). If he has a house then it needs to be sold to fund his care.

sorry, no assets isn't entirely accurate, it's below a threshold - around £23k.

Who is currently paying for his care? Does he have any assets that are being used? Does he have a living spouse?

Is your father self funding or funded? Or is it a top up fee?

If all the homes are charging the same price then I’d assume that it was fair. Obviously it depends on your earnings whether you have to pay for it or not

Family can’t be forced to top up, although attempts may be made to guilt trip you into it

OP, I really wish I could give you an answer but I don't know it. You have all my sympathy, though, because my father was in 'homes' for almost 10 years, and I entirely understand the stress involved in being concerned that there's going to have to be a move.

An increase of £250 pw sounds crazy. Who is paying ATM? Are you 100% private or is the LA paying?

Thinking of you

Ask for a care diary sheet and why they have increased the fee . Does he have challenging behaviour ? Need 2 carers for personal care ?
I would be asking for the reasons for the increase before I agreed.

also ask for LA assessment if he has no property and below £23,250.00 in savings

Have his care needs increased? Why are they asking for more money? If he is more expensive to care for, because his care needs have changed eg needs registered nurses now then if social services are contributing then he needs a reassessment from them.

Are you paying a top up of his fees or is he paying the difference and if him, have you got POA?

I would chase up the care home to establish why the increase and also chase up the social services.

But they won't chuck him out - they (and social services) have a duty of care for him, so please don't panic or agree to something you can't afford.

The fees do go up - like everything else!

What are his needs? Does he get Continuing Health Care funding?

You are not financially responsible for your father.
Either he has assets which need to cover his costs, or his local council are responsible for his care. They will either have to cover the costs he cannot afford or find him somewhere within their budget, which does not sound possible within the area. You might have to be prepared to fight not to have him moved to the other side of the county but you are not responsible for the costs and noone can make you pay - especially if that means taking out loans that's crazy!

The fees do go up - like everything else!

Duh... yes. But not normally by £250 per week without warning

What are they telling you will happen if you dont pay?

Is it you or him paying the bill?

If his assets are below the limit the council have to pay but they may want to move him somewhere cheaper (or somewhere they get a better deal)

Not £250 per @Itsmybirthdaytoday20

Is your dad self funding? What have they said is the reason for this price hike?

Those talking about the LA being responsible for care, yes - in theory that's how it is. In reality, though, if a parent is established in a place that suits him/her then it's a terrifying thing for a loving family to have to contemplate a move because the fees have gone up/the LA are refusing to pay any more. These situations are complicated.

If they are all charging this price and dad has no assets then here our council have to stump up.

His pension is paid to the home and I already contribute £70 a week.
I knew his situation was being re-examined but this increase seems to be quite a jump.
His savings were used up early last year.

What are his needs? Does he get Continuing Health Care funding?

He probably doesn't, as very few do. My father eventually did, but even with that it was a constant nightmare. We had to have an annual review and each time my sister and I had to battle against LA representatives determined to try to downplay our father's condition to try to remove his entitlement. We were very determined - God help anybody not sufficiently resilient to speak up for their dying relative.

OP, what does your father's SW say?

I would guess that he now needs nursing instead of just residential care hence the increase in fees.
If there is no private income though it will have to be covered by social care. I'd suggest you go in and ask them why his fees have increased so much and if he has been reassessed by social services if they tell you that is why.

how many times has his charge gone up?
How much will it cost a week now?

Have you looked into CHC funding?