Update on my care home fees problem

[Tilly2]

I went to Age UK, who were brilliant, and they have arranged for me to see a solicitor, free of charge. The solicitor will look at the contract and advise me of my next steps.

I also went to Citizens Advice, not a nice experience, and they gave me a list of solicitors whom I could contact.

I am now in the process of writing to the owners of the home citing severalof documents which refer to cost of living increases for top up fees.

Is there no one on here who is in the same situation with a relative in a care home?

[tonyav]

Glad to see your getting there Tilly, hope things work out for you.

[Tilly2]

I don't think I'll win Tony but I'm going to make a lot of fuss. Thanks for your earlier suggestions, by the way.

[tonyav]

Why don't you think that you will win Tilly ?

[Tilly2]

I don't think I'll win because it's a separate agreement between me and the home. I agreed to pay the top up. What I didn't agree to was a 500% increase in eight years.
That's why the contract needs to be looked at by a solicitor. I hoe that the contract is flawed in some way, ie, no figures actually written in.

[tonyav]

Jaysus, 500% Tilly, I hope a solicitor can sort this for you.

[Tilly2]

So do I, Tony.

[factor-fiction]

500% sounds a lot, tony, but that is the increase in the top-up rather than the increase in charges. Just as an example it may be that in 8 years the fees went up from £410 to £460 pw, with a funding level fixed at £400, so the top-up element went from £10 to £60

[tonyav]

I don't think it is line with inflation though is it.

[TOWIE]

I wish you luck Tilly and stick by your guns. When my Mum went into care, her fees were £600 per week and a top up of £50.00 paid by my Dad. When I approached the Manager, and said £50.00 was far too much for my Dad to pay out, without hesitation she reduced it down to £35.00, which I found strange, that no consulation was needed, she just did this off her own back.

I read back some of your story - I thought all the rooms were with ensuite facilites in most Care Homes. Sounds a bit mean of them to want to shift your Dad into a cheaper room.

Stand your ground, Tilly and if all else fails, expose them in the local paper or get in touch with your local M.P.

Good luck
Den x

[factor-fiction]

I was just giving an illustration, tony- the true figures could be a lot different- but in my illustration the increase in overall fees was actually probably quite a bit less than the rate of inflation £410 to £460 over 8 years). I was just trying to explain the maths behind a 500% increase in the top up element.
Anyway, I recall that Tilly2 agreed to an increase in the room quality which also contributed to the increase.
I don't want to sound unsympathetic to Tilly2 -I think she has done the best for her relative

[Tilly2]

factor, the fees have gone up £135 in eight years. That's almost a 100% increase there.

[Smowball]

Tilly, the price increases sound totally unreasonable and I am sure you will get somewhere. Have you thought about contacting other care homes and asking what their increases have been over the same period, for comparison??

[Tilly2]

Thank you, smowball. That's a really good idea. I'll ring both social services homes and private ones and see what their fees are.