To think it's unfair to sell your home to fund care when older while others pay nothing.

[SonnyHoney]

I provide healthcare services to older people, which means I regularly visit care homes. It’s something I find quite upsetting at times. I see individuals who have worked hard all their lives, paid off their mortgages, and are now facing care home fees of around £2,000 a week.

Meanwhile, others are living in the same care homes with their costs largely covered, aside from a contribution from their pension.

I say this as someone from a working-class background and daughter of an immigrant (El salvador) who has had to work incredibly hard to get to where I am financially. I’m also very aware that one day my own parents may have to sell their home to fund their care.
My mum, for example, has run a cleaning business for years, she’s up early every morning and has worked long, physically demanding hours. She hopes to pass something on, but realistically, I feel it will likely be used to cover care costs .

Before anyone says “Why don’t you just care for her yourself and keep the house?” And of course, if I’m in a position to do that, I will. But the reality is that with older age, there can come a point where needs become too complex, and care at home is no longer possible.

Obviously, those who don't have houses to sell need care and have to go to a care home, but my point is it just feels unfair, really.

It’s fair to say that many people who get on to the housing ladder get a very healthy leg up from wealthy relatives. Paying rent drains the ability to save whatever your job is these days.

Or by inheritance from their parents and luck on the investment market.
raises hand

Some people pay nothing, no state pension reduction, nothing.

This is true, but the even the majority of those receiving this help have it simply due to a previous generation deciding to make a change or having a successful career. Then it compounds from there providing the money is spent well. The crab in a bucket mentality of the UK is horrendous.

Of course you should pay. You work and save so you can afford your life, that includes when you are elderly. You don’t do it to pass it to your kids, if you are able to do that then it is a bonus.

Whose loosing everything, property is not taken for care fees until after death, and not at all if any of the various disregards, mandatory and discretionary apply.

So, if someone wants they can keep their home, rented out, lived in by a relative, whatever for their lifetime - even to return to it if they are able - its not relayed until after they have gone.

I did say absent CHC funding. Which is like hens teeth.
The legislation at least in England and Wales is clear. LAs can charge for resi care. And they want to, for obvious reasons.

I’m not talking about CHC funding.

Just to reiterate, if you have money in the bank, second home etc, that goes towards care down to £23K

Your own home is not counted at all, if it is occupied by

Your Spouse
A relative over 60
A child under 18
A disabled relative

If this case continues until the death of the person in care, then no money is taken from the property.

If none of the above apply, the LA must offer a deferred payment agreement - DPA, which is a secured loan on the house, to be repayed after your death by your estate.

That's how it works

No one HAS to sell a home in their life, of course for some its impractical not to.

Doesn't stop the council taking it all after death though does it? The issue is people lose their homes. End of, not various delays.

I know, you are just talking about LA funding under the rules of the care act - its frightening how many people don't understand it!

My mother in law has recently paid for our new bathroom and windows and doors.
just incase she will still have cash for her care but now knows she’s given her lad some as well

No I’m not talking about that.

Maybe, maybe not, if there is a mandatory disregard in place, then the council never take anything.

that could be

Occupation by a spouse
Occupation by a relative over 60
Occupation by a child under 18
Occupation by a disabled person

or another situation at the councils discretion

I think a fairly high amount of people these days are helped with the deposit, but to get 'very healthy leg ups' are not that common.
And for sure, the generations of my parents and grandparents, none of that at all but they are the ones who need the care now and losing it all.

Many of these "children" are or are almost senior citizens themselves so shouldn't be relying on inheritance.

I know all that, been through it. But that isn't the issue here is it? It's not what the OP is talking about.

Unfortunately I think this is really dangerous. I want to support the choice, I respect why people would want to end their life on their own terms rather than face a slow and expensive decline. But. We do not make decisions in a vacuum and once it becomes more normal to choose suicide in certain circumstances there will also creep in a quiet and then perhaps not so quiet pressure towards that decision. It is very difficult to protect older or disabled people from the abuse of a family who constantly imply or joke that choosing to stay alive is selfish. It may even reach a point where society decides that it doesn’t make sense to fund elderly care because if you can’t self fund well there’s always the other option. I know this is somewhat speculative but if you observe societal attitudes to long term disability and care needs I think it’s not far fetched at all. I don’t think anyone should be put in the position of thinking that the world (or at least their family) would be better off with them dead. As an individual and truly free decision I respect and have great sympathy for it, as a socially influenced decision it’s horrible.

It's ridiculous, if you have savings,a home whatever, of course it should be used for your care, why not

It is odd, isn't it. If someone needs to claim benefits, they are told that they should not claim if they have savings (and that is the case anyway if you have £16k).
Someone going into a care home does not need their home anymore.

They dont lose their home!!

They've moved out into another home, how many homes does someone need??

I agree, but the current system also means that those who are profligate are rewarded with free care in old age.

They deserve for their children to inherit the home they spent 20+ years paying off…

It is not a reward. It is a safety net... to make sure they are not just tossed out on to the street or having care needs unmet.

Where is this quality care people speak of? 😂 I’ve had family in the north and south ranging from 5.5 to 8k yes £8000 British pounds per month for living in a nursing home. I use the term living loosely because it’s a fate much worse than death. Legalise euthanasia, give people the choice rather than no choice at all.

OP I agree with you it’s fucking shit.