My Mum died aged 65 in 2000. She had always looked out for her younger sister, my aunt, and I have tried my best for the past 25 years. I am 350 miles away from my aunt and I am very very lucky she has such a selfless kind neighbour. This neighbour is also her freeholder for the flat my aunt owns.
Last year at the age of 87 she announced 'she wanted to move to the assisted living place I'd taken her the year before'. I said I would help her and asked her to find her lease - she didn't know where it was. I ordered one on line for her and found out her lease years were only 74. I went to hell and back helping her to extend her lease - in the end it cost me £1K because I offered to pay her freeholder's solicitor fees, and the lease cost my aunt £10K. I know this was all the money my aunt had in her savings.
The lease finally came through this year on her 88th birthday in May. I was visiting at the time and had taken her out for lunch with her neighbour. She was very coy when she suddely said 'I've decided I'm not going to move after all'. I couldn't believe it. The assisted living organisation charge £1,500 per month including bills and food with the exception of council tax. Her pensions would cover the majority of this and she wouldn't have to spend much of her capital. She said she was 'scared she'd run out of money'.
So at 88 she continues to live on her own in her owned one bed flat on the ground floor of an old house. She had a fall last week. She wasn't carrying her mobile but does have a care alarm she wears. Unfortunately it seems the company that run the alarm were overwhelmed that day - she lay in her garden for two hours before help came.
She is now saying she will 'go into a care home' when she is ready - but how is she going to pay for it?
Any advice welcome, thank you.