Alzheimer's, law and the cost being born by the NHS

[Brent pigeon]

Given the recent court case can I take it that the NHS will bear the cost if Social Services insist on a relative of mine going into reidential care, and we will not have to sell her house to pay for her care? She has advanced Alzheimer's.

[Naomicorlett]

I think there is a difference between residential care and nursing care.

[bednobs]

unlikely. which court case are you talking of?

[buildersmate]

It isn't the NHS budget that pays for residential care home costs for those that can't afford it. It is the social service budget of the County or Unitary Authority. So these are the same people that are making the decision that the individual requires more substantial care than can be provided in the home - from the combination of publicity-funded resources (nursing care only, not personal care) and support from the family.
Ditto question as bednobs - what recent court case?

[Brent pigeon]

http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/pensions/article. html?in_article_id=489766&in_page_id=6&positio n=moretopstories

A court has just made the NHS pay back hundres of thousands of pounds to families who had to sell a family home to fund an elderly relative's stay in a residential home with ALzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.
It is extraordinary that there has been so little comment on this, it has been in all the papers.

[bednobs]

needing 24 hour care and needing 24 hour nursing care are two very different things. Nursing homes are different from residential care homes. The NHS pays if people need 24 hour nursing care (meaning medical qualified nursing) if not, social services/the person pays.
So in answer to your question, it really depends on the type of care your relative will need. It is very unusual for people to need round the clock qualified care, as usually carers will do