Urgent question re Cost of home visit carers

I got NHS CHC for my Mum for the last few months of her life. It was quite straightforward once I explained to her GP what it was as he said he knew nothing about it. I filled in the forms as much as I could for him - personal details - so all he had to do was read it and sign it.

ChatGPT:
Bottom line: If the person has mental capacity, they can refuse or reduce homecare, even if professionals think that’s unsafe. The LA/social worker can recommend and strongly advise, but they cannot legally insist — unless the person lacks capacity or safeguarding laws are triggered.

Do you want me to show you what usually happens in practice if someone refuses the recommended care plan?

My son and daughter both got CHC, they did have significant health problems, they received the help they needed and it gave me a break. If I were you I would ask. Good luck and take care of yourself.

Being ill is expensive, as I found last year when DS put private carers in place for me when I came out of hospital, still very ill.
Be careful, if you are paying, to have an end date to your contract. I found myself paying for about three weeks unnecessarily after I stopped needing carers, because DS hadn't specified an end date.

If his needs are medical, then it should be funded under continuing care! Ask the social worker about continuing care funding asap.

I've not read all replies yet but having recently gone through similar with my now late husband, and having been a Home Carer with the local county council I can maybe up dare on the system.. NO Noone can make you have care you would rather not have. I at first accepted 3 times daily but soon dropped it to 2. I personally knew what i wanted for my husband..the best I could afford.. I found agency care as used by Socisl care to be very sub standard and not well trained. I found 2 lovely local ladies who worked together to fit in daily visits.
Eventually from further hospital treatment my husband went into a nursing home funded fully by NHS. Capped NHS Continuing care.. but this can be accessed from home too..no charge at all..
My husband gad the best care from everyone when I got to choose myself.

Best wishes. X

There are two systems for care at home, NHS and local authority. I understand the NHS system is free same if the person is admitted to a care home due to NHS decreeing they have special needs. If assessed as needing residential/nursing care then local authority is involved and financial assessment for payments is carried out. Your friend should be given a care plan and information on whether the 4 x a day visits are assessed as short or long term requirement.

Is there any way you could advertise for a carer that has a DBS and works in the industry and pay her privately. They traditionally get paid £13.50 or similar an hour so you could offer a couple of pound more.

The discharge nurse told me that if my husband has savings above £23k, I have to organise and pay for carers myself.

In our case, the hospital physiotherapist kindly taught me how to use a rotunda and one was sent to my home before DH’s discharge. At that time, DH could hardly walk but he could stand up if he could hold on to something.

So, I was able to transfer DH from his bed to the commode or the chair next to the bed and vice versa using the rotunda without the need for carers.

With the help from community therapists, my DH quickly gained enough strength to walk using a walking frame.

Make sure you claim attendance allowance plus you should get a reduction on your council tax.
Contact Wandsworth age concern they were a great help to me.
Attendance allowance is not means tested.

So much good advice here. I wish my friend would log into gransnet to see it but she is not too tech savvy. I passed on some of the tips and will share others gradually so as not to overwhelm her,. The children of an older friend i had organised her care privately and they decided on how often she had carers coming in and that worked well.Thank you all for your help.

If the recommendation is for carers to visit four times a day, this will be for pressure relief and toileting. Meals, washing, dressing and medications will also be factored into the four visits.

Yvettehartland1

If his needs are medical, then it should be funded under continuing care! Ask the social worker about continuing care funding asap.

I think you are confused between continuing care and CHC. Two different things. Continjing care is given after discharge for a max of 6 weeks usually 4 weeks only now, CHC is when your needs are solely Health needs and not easy to get these days. I had it 3 times for my late husband, mother and partner but only may partner was 2 years ago and he had cancer so was end of life, the others were back in 2007 when it was much easier to obtain then.

One piece of advice from me and from others who've gone through the process .

Don't be bullied by the social worker !

If three visits is adequate then that's what you should have not four .
I was really intimidated by a social worker ..She phoned up when I was doing my father's bath every morning .
She fixated on a piece of furniture in the hall which might be in the way if an ambulance was called .
I was waiting to have it collected . She insisted that the carers were adequate and they were not .
I asked them to leave after they frightened my father.
I stood my ground with her .
His GP agreed fully with me .

They are entitled to ask what the cost will be. Seems odd not to - when we buy something (which is what they are doing), we ask ‘How much?’
Secondly, yes, they are entitled to refuse! The social worker cannot force this or any other service upon them. It may be she has serious concerns about their safety but unless they have no capacity to make decisions, the social worker is acting above her brief!

I think my friend is overwhelmed but hopefully as time goes on it will be easier for her. Her and her partner, both retired, both have full mental capacity. I am going to try and save this thread somehow in case i need it kater. I have been surprised at how difficult and scary the prcess seems. I had no idea home care could be so costly. Self advocacy seems necessary.

Sago

He will be eligible for attendance allowance, his wife will get carers allowance.
This will go a long way towards care.

If he’s wife is retired she won’t get carers allowance

Your friend’s husband will be eligible for Attendance Allowance(£73.90 -£110.40 PW) if over 65 and PIP if younger. Your friend can apply for Carer’s Allowance (83.30) if she does not receive a state pension, works less than 20 hours a week and earns less than £196 after tax. If she does get a pension she should still apply as it could lead to other benefits.
These forms are a bit complicated so encourage her to ask for help from Citizens Advice or Age UK.

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Oops sorry posted above on wrong thread. Anyone know how to delete? Or move? Or maybe just comment for me

Does he need that level of care? Your friends worry seems to be about money but if he needs the care and has the money then surely he should have it. How does he feel about it?

This hits the nail on the head, theworriedwell

If you can't manage without help you are actually in a fortunate position if you can afford to buy help in - because that way you at least have choice.
My mother-in-law is having to do this now but it makes her life easier and gives the rest of the family some peace of mind.

grannygran

I've not read all replies yet but having recently gone through similar with my now late husband, and having been a Home Carer with the local county council I can maybe up dare on the system.. NO Noone can make you have care you would rather not have. I at first accepted 3 times daily but soon dropped it to 2. I personally knew what i wanted for my husband..the best I could afford.. I found agency care as used by Socisl care to be very sub standard and not well trained. I found 2 lovely local ladies who worked together to fit in daily visits.
Eventually from further hospital treatment my husband went into a nursing home funded fully by NHS. Capped NHS Continuing care.. but this can be accessed from home too..no charge at all..
My husband gad the best care from everyone when I got to choose myself.

Best wishes. X

You say you found two lovely local ladies. I think that is an excellent idea especially as you yourself are experienced. I see no reason why the client would not train inexperienced persons in her husband's care if she were competent to do so.

One of my daughters in law did that on her own mother's behalf and the care has been tailor made for the old lady even caring for the old lady's dog who means such a lot to her.

PS my daughter in law had to send her privately employed carers for special training in the use of a hoist , when this became necessary.

Menopauselbitch

Is there any way you could advertise for a carer that has a DBS and works in the industry and pay her privately. They traditionally get paid £13.50 or similar an hour so you could offer a couple of pound more.

Good idea👍🏻
My aunt had a cleaner that always went the extra mile. Cared for her, shopped as well. A lot better than the agency fee of £25ph , who just want to sit, have a cupper & chat.