Whatever happened to "saving for a rainy day"?

I am not against privatisation of services per se, if it can be demonstrated empirically that they are better and more cost effective, but decisions seem to be made on an ideological basis of “small state” and money saving, rather than a proper evaluation and comparison of cost and quality. I’m also concerned about regulation, accountability, training and fair pay.

When jobs of NHS cleaning staff were put out to tender to private companies many years ago (to save money) standards declined, along with wages and conditions. Privatisation has since accelerated without independent evidence to show that it is superior.

On top of the £1400 per week we pay for nursing care, we have to pay for her nappies, podiatry services, hair cuts, toiletries, low sugar and fat yogurts, etc. Her nappies used to be prescribed but now she has a catheter fitted she is only on a couple a day for bowel incontinence so doesn't fit the criteria.

Care homes are run to make a profit. And residents who have to pay are usually cross-subsidizing those whose Councils are paying. The weasel Johnson claimed he had fixed the care system but I see no sign of change whatever. My mother aged 103 is still paying and when her money runs out I guess the local Council will insist she moves to a cheaper room or a cheaper care home as I can't afford to supplement.

caretobedifferent.co.uk/how-relevant-is-the-coughlan-decision-today/
Local Authorities have never managed care homes for people with nursing needs, only homes for people who needed residential care. The need for residential care homes has drastically reduced with the advent of care in the community models, as people prefer to live in their own homes as long as possible.
What you are suggesting Doodledog would be a complete revolution in care management arrangements, as well as the taxation proposal, so a whole new service would be required. I’ve enclosed an explanation of funding arrangements and how they came about in case anybody is interested.

Grantanow

Care homes are run to make a profit. And residents who have to pay are usually cross-subsidizing those whose Councils are paying. The weasel Johnson claimed he had fixed the care system but I see no sign of change whatever. My mother aged 103 is still paying and when her money runs out I guess the local Council will insist she moves to a cheaper room or a cheaper care home as I can't afford to supplement.

The weasel Johnson claimed he had fixed the care system but I see no sign of change whatever.

Grantanow, in all fairness, the changes weren't due to come in until 2023 so you wouldn't see any change yet. However, I have a horrible feeling that this will all disappear with the change in leadership.

One huge worry is that so many people nowadays have put off having a pension pot for far too long. to have more money to spend on other things, and realise too late that they will have to work into their 70s and beyond. Some will be OK because they will inherit from parents and sale of house, others ?????

Talking about care homes, one DD has been looking after her ery elderly neighbour throughout the pandemic and beyond. She had a fall a couple of months ago, and was taken to hospital and then to a Care Home. Fiercefully independent, she has found it hard to adjust, but is finally settling in the care home where she was placed. Her AC thinks the care home is too expensive, so wants to move her again to a cheaper one. She is distaught about this. When she dies, the AC will inherit of a house and very large plot in one of the most expensive places in the UK, and sell for a couple of millions or more!

Makes my blood boil.

Fleurpepper

One huge worry is that so many people nowadays have put off having a pension pot for far too long. to have more money to spend on other things, and realise too late that they will have to work into their 70s and beyond. Some will be OK because they will inherit from parents and sale of house, others ?????

DHs happily works into 78th year, must be an anomaly.

My children can't foresee owning property until they get their inheritance from us or careers change. I wouldn't say they are frivolous but they spend money ensuring their children have a great childhood

Fleurpepper

Talking about care homes, one DD has been looking after her ery elderly neighbour throughout the pandemic and beyond. She had a fall a couple of months ago, and was taken to hospital and then to a Care Home. Fiercefully independent, she has found it hard to adjust, but is finally settling in the care home where she was placed. Her AC thinks the care home is too expensive, so wants to move her again to a cheaper one. She is distaught about this. When she dies, the AC will inherit of a house and very large plot in one of the most expensive places in the UK, and sell for a couple of millions or more!

Makes my blood boil.

Wow. So who’s paying for the care home ? It would be beyond most ordinary people without either the sale of their home to fund the care, or input from LA - which wouldn’t be until private funding has been exhausted.

she is paying for it, with HER money- and then the sale of her home, which is VERY valuable. I can only imagine they want her to move to a cheaper home so there is more left eventually.

Credit cards!!!

Fleurpepper

she is paying for it, with HER money- and then the sale of her home, which is VERY valuable. I can only imagine they want her to move to a cheaper home so there is more left eventually.

But that’s not their decision, it’s hers, and if she doesn’t want to move to a cheaper home they can’t force her. It depends on whether they authorised to act for her as Lasting Power of Attorney, and if so, whether they are acting for sound financial reasons - for example if the funding source won’t sustain the level of expense. If you or DD are sure of the facts it might be worth reporting to SS as a safeguarding concern. If the family does have her Lasting Power of Attorney, they have to include her in all decisions as far as possible and any decisions they make on her behalf have to be in her best interests, and where possible, with her agreement. If whoever is acting as her Attorney is going against her wishes, they could end up in serious trouble. If you know there is an LPA in place and you have concerns, report it to the office of the public guardian, and they will investigate. If an attorney is acting improperly, the court will appoint an independent guardian to act for her.