My question about Care Home fees.

[Tilly2]

I apologise for the length of this post.

My Dad has been in a care home for eight years (2004). His fees are partly funded by social services. Dad pays his contribution and I pay a 'top-up'.

When he went in my top up was £16.00 per week. The top up stayed the same for five years but over the last three years has risen to £30, £61.00 and now finally, £100 per week.

I cannot, having retired, afford to pay £400 per month and have spoken to the owner and said so. Having 'looked into it' he has come back to me and said that he can reduce the fee to £80 per week but it will mean that Dad will have to move to a cheaper room without ensuite facilities.

Dad has been in this room since August 2010, when I was paying £30 per week. Suddenly, the room is so very much more expensive.

I have spoken to both Social Services and The Older People's Team who are both teling me to stick to my guns and refuse to pay the extra . The contract I have doesn't stipulate the top up sepserately, it just gives the overall figure of £560 per week to be paid. My question is how do I go about my campaign of refusal. Letters? phonecalls, meetings? solicitors? I don't know where to start really.

[tonyav]

Tilly, try Citizens Advice they may well be able to help or point you in the right direction.

[Tilly2]

Thanks, Tony. I never even thought about Citizen's Advice. I have never had cause to use them. I'll look into it.

[tonyav]

Hope they can sort you out Tilly.

[boxtops]

Age Concern can also be very helpful, there is a drop-in centre near us - worth a try.

[tonyav]

Yes, forgot all about age concern, good idea boxy.

[DTCwordfan]

That's a sensible suggestion of Tony's

Does your dad have property, Tilly, as it may make sense to raise a sensible mortgage on that, rather than one of those "release equity" deals that kick around on offer......

[Tilly2]

Boxtops, we've got an Age UK centre in town. I didn't think about them either. Thank you. I'm not thinking straight at the moment.

[tonyav]

Why thank you DT.

[Tilly2]

No, DT. The mobile home he lived in was sold when he went into care. That's how he's paying his share of the fees. The top up has to be paid by a relative. I am not allowed to use Dad's money to pay for the top up.

[matron 22]

I assume this is in ENGLAND ?

[Tilly2]

Yes, it is in England.

[bednobs]

if you pay the top up for him to be in a "nicer" room than the standard amount paid by ss then i can't see what you can do - it's like the difference between a 2 star and 5 star hotel - you just have to pay more

[matron 22]

If not stated in contract about top ups then take it up with social services again and also the inspector who inspects the home

[factor-fiction]

Hi Tilly2. I didn't realise relatives ever had to pay anything. Do you know what would happen if you said a) you can't afford to pay any more than the £61 or (b) you can no longer afford to pay ANY top up?

[Tilly2]

I think they can ask me to take Dad from the home and find another cheaper one. Tha's not an option though. Who's going to to that to their Dad?

[bednobs]

well then you probably don't have much choice and solicitors etc wont help

[Tilly2]

Don't you think it's some kind of emotional blackmail, bednobs?

[factor-fiction]

So it's an optional top-up. I agree with you Tilly2- if it can be afforded your dad's happiness/welfare should be a priority. It's easier if there is a prospect of eventually recouping some money from a future will (sorry to be so morbid), but if as in your case that doesn't seem a possibility it's hard to know what sacrifices you should make or your father would want you to make

[bednobs]

it might well be emotional blackmail, but you/he cant have it if you can't afford it

[Tilly2]

I have an appointment with Age UK next week. I couldn't get through to anyone at Citizen's Advice. No one answered the phone.