Care Home wants new contract Will they try and make us liable for Mums fees?

[Haagen]

Hi we had a very unusual call from Mum's care home, saying that they were going to send us new contract material that needed to be signed, and it was about "Mum's care" and money. She has been there several years, and there have not been any money problems that we know of.

We are hearing that some homes are trying to make residents' families say they will be liable for the fees. Has anyone had this problem? Mum can pay her own way at present, but we cannot pay for her - we don't have the income. Apparently it's legal to stipulate this, but I don't see how it is ethical. If someone in care runs out of money, it is the local authority's responsibility to take over.

The home is** part of a big chain and usually reputable but I am aware they are short of residents locally, and sometimes a bit chaotic at the local level. But I imagine this comes from Head Office, who are efficient over what they want!

Thank you for any light you can shed.

I dont think you will be legally responsible for the fees unless you sign a document saying so. If your Mum runs out of money the authority could insist she moves to a cheaper care home. I wouldnt sign anything till I had got advice. You could try Age UK.,

Do not sign anything. I have no direct experience of this but do know from reading Gransnet that you are not responsible for your mother's care costs. Ask for advice there, or Age UK.

Might be worth contacting adult social services too.

Thank you three.

I tried going to Gransnet, it logged me in with the same details, but now it says I don't own my username, or apparently any other username! And it won't let me re-join. In a continuous loop! I have emailed for help.

We know that we are not liable in law. The longer view problem is that if they make this stipulation, and we won't sign it, they could insist Mum leaves. I don't know how likely this is as I don't know what is behind their changes.