On Tue, 06 May 2008 18:30:09 GMT, "steve robinson"
wrote:
>SWQ wrote:
>> A bit controversial this.
>> My elderly mother is in good health thankfully but, with an eye on
>> the future, she is concerned that if she runs up any care home bills
>> the local council will take her home. This doesn't fit into her wish
>> to pass it to her grandchildren. Is there a way of avoiding this
>> happening? A friend's father's estate has just been decimated by
>> just such a thing. As most people know, you are punished for
>> providing for yourself in this country so she wishes to address this
>> issue. Thanks Dave
>This is a problem many people are now facing you need very careful
>planning to get around this situation , best to consult a professional
The problem is that the professionals (social and NHS) will lie to you
and tell you that your mother must pay for her care. The fact is
(which has been shown by several court rulings in the past year), that
if the care is necessary because of a medical condition, it should be
paid for by the NHS the same as any other medical care.
To get around that, the social & doctors will assess your mother as
needing "social care" rather than medical care.
When the time comes, make sure that *nobody* signs any papers that
agree to pay for anything. Don't tell anyone what assets or money
your mother has. You will be told that you *have to* disclose your
mother's assets. That is bullshit - unless thay get a court Order
(unlikely).
Also, record any meetings you attend that deal with your mother's
health & future.
Ensure that you get *in writing* the the condition that has made the
healthworker/social worker believe that it is necessary for your
mother to go into care. If all she needs is "social care", you can
obviously arrange that at her home.
A friend of mine is going through it at present and has taken
professional legal advice. The question the lawyer asked is, "Is your
mother keen to go into a home because she wants to play tiddlywinks
and watch TV, or is it because she is unable to look after herself
because of a medical condition?" If the former, she must pay for the
cost of her care. If the latter, the NHS must pay for it.
My friend was given a glossy brochure by the social worker that
detailed the amount an elderly person must pay if they have above a
certain amount of assets. The specialist lawyer looked at it and
said, "Yes, I've seen that. It's a con-trick, and is nothing but
half-truths and outright lies."
--
Cynic
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