Nursing Home Fees??

[yelenots]

Hello....further to my post the other day my Mum has today gone into a nursing home due to her having an acute stroke. Her social worker was quite hopefully that she would get 'NHS continued care funding' but I have been told today that she hasnt!
Apart from Attendance Allowance and Pension Credit does anyone know if there are any other benefits she may be able to claim towards the cost of the nursing care?
Thanks :)

[factor-fiction]

Sorry I haven't read the earlier post. Has funding been refused because she has avings they expect her to use? Thanks

[yelenots]

Hi no its not been refused because of that its because she doesnt meet the criteria despite scoring 'high' on the checklist - I just dont understand it!

[factor-fiction]

Are the care home costs greater than her income? If she has no savings,and if the nursing care fees are greater than her weekly income, I don't see what they can do if full payment isn't made

[emmie]

What criteria exactly? If you need help try Age UK, GP, and her social worker should also know avenues to try. Though if i know one thing, its that its a lottery as to who gets what.

[DEN53]

yelenots - Appeal against the decision - my Mum's Attendance Allowance stopped once she went into care. Thats because she is funded by the Local Authority, but if you are self funding, then you keep the Attendance Allowance.

[yelenots]

We have had a financial review as she has no savings just her home. She contributes her pension towards the cost and a charge is to be put on her property for when it is sold. I have just put it on the market.
Just wondered if there was anything else I could claim to help her?

[yelenots]

Den53.... she is still getting the Attendance Allowance.

[emmie]

Any agency like Age UK, should be able to advise, as said, try CAB as well.
Can you speak with her GP if she has one, as he/she might be able to make suggestions. I know its an uphill battle, so good luck

[factor-fiction]

Sorry if this sounds a little blunt but if she is in a nursing home and the fees are taken care of (with help from a charge on the property) does she need much spending money? Will there be enough left over to pay for her own soap, shampoo etc? I hope your Mum is comfortable in the home.

[evil__sheep]

as i said in your previous post, nhs continuing care funding is extremely hard to get. Being assessed of high need is not enough - i can't remeber the exact term but the need has to be "critcal" or something like that. Unles she needs nursing car, it's unlikely she'll get it even if you appeal (although there is nothing to be lost by appealing)
No other benefits i know that help towards fees - it sounds like her house will cover it anyway, so no need to panic - she'll get the care she needs

[DEN53]

yelenots - Thats correct, if your Mum is self funding, then she will continue to receive the Attendance Allowance. I am not sure, but she may be entitled to an increase in Pension Credit. Best to phone the DWP and find out. Also, it may be wise to find out, what happens when the money from her house sale runs out, what happens then.

[yelenots]

Thanks......
em10 - just had a look on the age uk website...very helpful
evil_sheep - yes she does need nursing care & apparently 11 of the things on the checklist scored 'high' and triggered off the continued care assessment - the social worker thought she would of got it.
Den53 - fortunately they dont take all her money off her they'll leave her with just over £23,000 and then its free!!

[emmie]

Yelenots give them a ring, and see what they can advise

[evil__sheep]

what things does she need doing that only a qualified nurse can do? you need to be focussing on those for the appeal

[yelenots]

Em10 - yes I'll ring in the morning.
Evil - she cant do anything - confined to bed, not eating or drinking and sleeping most of the time

[evil__sheep]

hi yelnots, it dosen't sound like she need specialised nursing care, which is one of the main reasons for getting continuing care. Washing/dressing/feeding/turning can be done by carers (unqualified). unless thereis something you are not telling us i can't see anything in her care that needs prolonged/specialised nursing care

[yelenots]

evil_sheep & Em - I rung Age uk this morning and found them to be very helpful. I then phoned the social worker who in turn rang the discharge nurse and as a result I have appointment with both of them eary next week.
thanks :)