MIL is in a nursing home and social worker says they cannot move her home despite her having a dh there, what do we do?

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Help, please, any pointing in the right direction appreciated.

MIL, who is 71, went into a nursing home (20 miles from her home) after a fall earlier this year. I think it's cerebral ataxia, i.e. as I understand it, her brain doesn't convey messages to her body v well and this is why she fell. They don't know if she'll walk again. She was recently moved to a nursing home MUCH nearer (2 miles away) from the home she shares with FIL. He has hoists, equipment all ready for her to come back. He is fit able, spry and wants her home.

The nursing home is costing £1600 a month which he can cover but not for ever. There was a meeting today between social worker and FIL and social worker said "we as the council can't go as far as xxxx (where their house is) to provide care for her. So she'll have to stay put in this nursing home". At £1.6k a month.

SO:

• are there any rights wrt keeping elderly people in their own homes? Esp when there IS care there?
• Is there legislation?
• Are councils bound to a code of conduct wrt elderly?
• surely the idea should be to let people home as soon as possible?
• who can help?
• Do we need a solicitor?
• Anything else we should consider?

DH is going to call Help the Aged helpline tomorrow to ask but any advice much, much appreciated. We want her to be able to home as all are v upset at this.

Thank you to anyone who can help.

Don't really get the bit about not being able to go as far as x. Is it incredibly rural or just down the road in the same town IYSWIM. I would guess it would have more to do with them not being able to put the hours of care in that she needs. Where you at the meeting? Could that be right?

Have you spoken to the GP?
What does the GP say?

The social worker should be able to help you arrange additional care at home if your FIL cannot do it all himself
Unless they are on the breadline he will end up paying for council provided or private carers anyway
Your FIL can claim attendance allowance for that though

You can take her out of the home whenever you like - it's not up to the council

They can't make her stay in the home - she can leave any time she likes and go where she likes. Does she want to come home? At £1,600 a month your FIL could easily pay privately for a lot of care for her at home.

Thank you all. 1dilemma it is rural but only a mile away. Dh is going to speak to Help the aged today and the Gp. Dh is at home today and is going to spend some time on looking at what to do.