Help With Contributions Towards Care Home Fees

[Ric.ror]

Hope someone can help me with this - I have now a costings from adult services for their contributions towards my mothers care package. Basically if they continued to contribute the same amount + her pension and attendance allowance it would more than cover her fees for a care home - now I was advised by the Alzheimers Society that this can be negotiated - has anyone any knowledge or experience of this

Many many thanks in anticipation

[gingejbee]

"this can be negotiated".....what's the "this" in the question? Not clear what you want to negotiate!

[Ric.ror]

Basically so they will use the income they are currently contributing (day centre and care assisitant visits etc) and contribute it towards the care home fees

[rowanwitch]

First thing get an assessment of any portion of the care that can be classified as nursing . The nhs should fund that component but in a care home it won't be much but Alzheimer's is a medical condition,

[Ric.ror]

Who would I get an assesment of that kind from Rowan?

[rowanwitch]

The care home may have a contact, if not try age uk, they might be able to guide you. I only found out when bil got help with his father's care bill. It wasn't much but it helps

[gingejbee]

Forget the current situation. The local authority will want full financial details...property owned by your mother (if any), any savings (they will probably want proof) and her incomings. Based on those facts, they will decide how much your mother should contribute and how much they will contribute.
Any funded nursing care needs to be applied for separately...a form needs to be submitted by medical professionals who have an interest in your mother's current condition.

[bednobs]

she wont be entitled to AA anymore if SS are paying for her care.
Im a bit confused - areyou saying that you want to negotiate the contribute less? if it covers the fees what do you want to negotiate?

[bednobs]

you can only get funded nursing care if she needs input from a qualified nurse. Not in residential homes or at home but in a care home with nursing. its aroumd £500 pm. it's paid by the nhs and your local ccg will have a team who assesse for it

[Ric.ror]

Here's the thing - she owns her own flat (I live in it) she rents the flat below me (she could no longer manage the stairs) I do not pay any rent and probably could buy the flat from her if it was necessary - I know then that she would have to pay full fees (up to £23,000) if she was to move into a home but, as her current care package is over £300 p/w and her pension and AA combined together would cover the fees

[ubasses]

Although dementia is an illness not all have a need for continuing medical care, and go into a Care Home. If your mother has any other illnesses that require constant medical care she will require a Care Home with Nursing. We found that these were more expensive as they have to employ a team of qualified nurses instead of carers only.
My mother and mother in law ended up paying the same with M.I.L's Nhs funding going straight to the home on top of her payment.
If all her assets are below the threshold for Social Care and they pay she will still receive AA but it will go direct to SS and be included the amount they will pay. If there is no qualification for funding ensure that you are receiving or apply for AA at the higher rate.
My mother was assessed for a care home only by the Community Mental Health Doctor and her GP. My Mother is law decided to enter a Care Home herself which had very little support as it catered for self caring residents who could no longer manage homelife such as cooking and cleaning (this was due to severe arthritis). When her heart problems caused her to be in and out of hospital, the hospital assessed her for a place with nursing care and the Home made the claim on her behalf to the NHS.
Whilst my mother received a Care in the Home package without charge as soon as she went into the Care Home all funding stopped, and she had to fund herself.
When you decide on a place, I would recommend you ensure that you go for a dementia specialist.

[bednobs]

so what are you wanting to negotiate?
i find it extremely odd that social services would contribute to care home costs for someone who owns their own home.
are you sure you are reading the care fees right? For a nursing home here, it costs around £1000 a week

[woofgang]

Ric.ror, your situation is a complicated one. Can I suggest that you get detailed advice from Age Concern?

[ubasses]

I was sidetracked during my reply and Ric ror's last post wasn't there.
I know there are different rules if a relative over 60 lives in the property with you, but this is an unusual situation. I am sure Social Services will have come across it before and will know what their rights are.
A Dementia Care Home without nursing is about £800 pw in my area.

[bednobs]

probbaly about that here too, £1000 is for nursing home

[gingejbee]

Awkward though this is...your mother does own her own property and the local authority will need to know and take it into account....
and, as I said earlier, you must stop thinking about the current financial situation- if your mother goes into a nursing home, the local authority will start their calculations from scratch and the current care package and attendance allowance will count for nothing.