To think I shouldn't have to pay to see my mum

[MrsBertBibby]

Just that. "Freedom" is no such thing for care home residents. Imprisoned and deprived of family and now, if we want to visit, we must shell out £20 for a test.

Is it unreasonable to call this government absolute sick psychopaths?

[quote hamsterchump]@Midlander88 I agree wholeheartedly. I don't understand people's obsession with keeping their relatives alive for as long as possible in care homes with every joy and little bit of pleasure removed.

I think it often stems from a childish inability to deal with death and grief coming from the family of the person in the care home, not the person themselves.

Most people go into care homes because they weren't lucky enough to die at home before they got too ill or immobile or unmanageable or demented to be cared for at home. They go in there to wait to die.

We should be thinking about how we can make their time there as enjoyable as possible not eking it out for a miserable eternity by removing every "risk" like visits from loved ones and interaction with other people. It's been disgraceful.[/quote]
Have you had a relative in a care home? My gran lived for 12 years in a care home and was very happy there.

@Notwashingup

I think the care homes could test visitors upon entry if it’s their policy for visitors to prove a negative status. The government should provide tests to all facilities that have vulnerable clients.

Some have already been doing this and have special rooms set up. No charge .when my mum was at her hub bed that is exactly what happened.

And there are plenty of children and younger adults in care homes too. My friend does not want her 20 year old daughter to die.

Unfortunately it’s like many situations, there just isn’t enough money to do everything. The deficit increases and free tests means less resource for other areas of the NHS or social care.

I’m sure the vast majority of people who can afford a test to visit a loved one in a care home will pay it happily. I will, to keep my Nan safe and the others she lives alongside and those who care for her. I am happy to pay a bit more to subside those who can’t afford it as easily.

There will be those though, who can afford it but will dodge it and I despair at that mentality.

There does have to be some personal and collective social responsibility so it can work safely and fairly for everyone.

Who is paying for the cost of the care home, can the tests be budgeted from that? Human nature means that people understandably focus on the issues that affect them directly and not what others want the tax payer to fund. My campaign is mental health and the woeful funding of that, the lives lost and the people living in tortuous conditions. No one cares about that until it affects them or a relative.

Nursing homes are the same- the taxpayer can’t sustain this pressure indefinitely.
It’s not £20 a test and hopefully this can be included in the care budget for whoever pays the nursing home.

@Primrosecottage for poorer families, the state pays. The state is not paying for tests anymore.

You realise solitary confinement is considered a severe punishment in prison? How is what we've done to care home residents materially any different?

You can say it was for their "protection" but if they aren't aware of this or don't consent to it, how can it be right?

What were they being protected for when most are on borrowed time and none are expected to get better? It seems exceptionally cruel to treat them this way in their last few months or years.

@Bumpy23

I think it's along the same lines as hospity car parking- we shouldn't have to pay for that, but we do and it's extortionate. Just under £3 a test, not sure it's worth moaning about really..

Seriously what planet are you on?!

We are talking about care homes for one, not hospitals. This is NOT a race to the bottom in who has to pay care, car parking, bus fares or whatever - this is a significant Government policy that will impact thousands of people (not just those struggling with living costs but also the comfortably well off)

@ClariceQuiff

did you buy your own masks?

This isn't a valid comparison.

You could make your own masks. If you used old clothes, the only cost was thread and elastic if you didn't already have those things in the house. My masks didn't cost me a penny.

Even if you're unable to do very basic sewing, you could buy reusable masks very cheaply in Lidl, Tesco, etc.

You can't make your own LFTs.

You can't reuse a LFT.

But they wouldn't remotely work. Old clothes and elastic to keep out aerosol spread virus? Really? 😂

Agree about sick psychopaths but not for the reasons that you give.

They could just add it to your mums bill?

So, you’re on 72 quid a week universal credit because you lost your job to Covid. You are 55 and your mother is in a home, you want to visit. Twenty pounds is a significant chunk.
If the government paid reasonable benefits then no, perhaps they shouldn’t pay, but in these circumstances yes, they fucking should. They ballsed it up from the beginning, partied throughout and took us for mugs. I cannot believe some people still support them. 😡

I understand the state is not paying for tests anymore. I just wonder how much strain the taxpayer can take to be expected to pay for everything. There are so many other areas that are deprived of funding, as I said, it’s human nature to focus on one’s own situation and not think about the other people in need.

It’s not £20 a test!

The government pay some of the most reasonable benefits in the world, i very much dislike this entitlement and complete lack of gratitude.

@Steelesauce

Will the care home not provide the tests? They will still be getting them from the government

Only for staff and residents.

@lightisnotwhite

What are we keeping them safe from? If the 95 year old Queen can get Covid with priceless security it all seems a bit redundant really.

The Queen who caught it of her visiting son who tested after he seen her not before you mean.

and now, if we want to visit, we must shell out £20 for a test

Well that's the care home making up its own rules. Have you challenged them?

@Kimilybob

The government pay some of the most reasonable benefits in the world, i very much dislike this entitlement and complete lack of gratitude.

Actually I think this thread was designed to goad, no one can be this entitled. Enjoy the bunfight everyone.

@Primrosecottage I'm always suspicious when the OP lobs a grenade and disappears.

I still think some wealthy people or companies could sponsor tests for care homes...in case anyone is reading this.

Who are you paying? You are a buying a test to ensure you don't pass a deadly virus onto your vulnerable mum.

No we have one of the lowest benefit systems in the G7.

@Bakewelltart987 you have zero idea if Charles tested before visiting the Queen.

@TabithaTittlemouse

Agree about sick psychopaths but not for the reasons that you give.

They could just add it to your mums bill?

And if the state pay the bill? The state will not pay for the tests for visitors. So many people here do not seem to understand not everyone is well off.

@Monopolyiscrap I have no idea about benefits in other countries, but is the UK really low compared with China, Russia, and the US? Surely only Germany and France might be more generous. Maybe Japan?

I'm in the US and it's definitely not generous here.