Going into a nursing home

[Mrspoppins]

My mother owns her own home, but has made a will leaving it to my brother. She has about �5,000 savings and is in receipt of approx �180 pension/pension credit and attendance allowance. Her health is failing and she may may need to go into a nursing home for long term care. Can anyone advice as to whether or not her house will need to be sold to finance a care home bill? TIA

[CheekyChops]

It might if she hasn't got enough savings to fund the homes fees. It doesn't make any difference that she has left it to someone in her will.

[bednobs]

yes, she will if she dosen't have enough money in savings to pay for what she needs

[Rosetta]

Yes unless there is another way to boost her income, ie using the proceeds of renting her house out. Its doubtful if this would raise enough weekly income though.
For more detailed advice contact your local Age Concern or Citizens Advice Bureau.
Te Social Services where your mum lives should publish an explanatory leaflet

[Mrspoppins]

Many thanks for quick responses folks. I thought the same. She is thinking off putting the deeds in my brother's name if that would make a difference, as the house has been in the family since theb late1800s. It would be so sad to see it being sold.

[bednobs]

your brother could buy it from her? then it would stay in the family.

[Mrspoppins]

I'm afraid his finances wouldn't stretch to it bednobs as he has already got a mortgage and a young family.

[albaqwerty]

if your brother bought it, be careful as it could appear that she disposed of the house in order to claim benefits for her care.

[Rosetta]

PS Ask her Social Services Dept for an assessment of her needs as it may be possible for her to remain at home a little longer if she can get the appropriate support.

[Naomicorlett]

She would then be accused of " wilfully depriving herself of assets" and would not be able to get help. If it is really important to keep house then she would have to sell it at market cost to your brother or he would have to pay nursing home fees for her. It's a tough one we were able to rentout my mum's house and the rent with attendance allowance and her pensions just ( only just ) covered her fees,. My sister inherited the house as Mum wished. ( can your brother rent the house from her ??)

[tamborine]

The house & savings are liable for your mother's care costs. Even if she sold/gifted prior to nursing home her assets would be liable for costs.

Had she gifted her assets 7y prior to nursing home then savings and pension would be liable at much reduced cost. My mum paid �600pw. Aunt who lived with mum having gifted her home paid �70 (pension) for same.

[bubbles4920]

i thought if there was a 6 months period clean of no assets before going into a home then past finances would not be considered. this is what happened with my elderly aunt. her assets were shared out among family which wasnt alot anyway. she didnt own property though so im not sure about that side of things, there must be a way round it. cant she put it in your name or someone else's then maybe after 6 months or so she can then consider a nursing home. you are allowed to have some savings if you claim for benefits for care in a home, i think it used to be 8000 pounds but check this out or maybe someone else on here can tell you, anything over or above had to be used for care fees, this happened with my uncle.

[Rosetta]

Sorry bubbles, transferring a property to someone else's name and then it not being considered an asset is incorrect. If that were the case everyone would do it and the tax payer would end up picking up the bill for all nursing or residential care. (you might feel that it should be free, but sadly its not)

[kristawaugh]

If she'd only bought long term care insurance she would have avoided the assets like the house from being sold. LTCi will help protect a person's assets regardless of the expensive costs of health care

http://www.completelo...ces/what-is-ltci.aspx