Kate Garroway-Care at home costs

They went to Mexico twice, given the expense, logistics, effort for him, they must have felt it was beneficial to go again.

I haven’t seen the programme yet so I can’t comment on it at the moment, but from some posts I see that the funeral was covered in this documentary.

I read one report somewhere (not here) that I’m struggling to believe which claimed that OK magazine was there filming.

Surely that didn’t happen did it?

There was only about three seconds of the funeral shown on the programme last night.

Perhaps because Hello own the copyright, but I wouldn't know.

I doubt it, somehow.

I didn’t watch this documentary because these types of programmes feel intrusive to me, but I do think it raises awareness about an important topic, the hardship that ordinary folk may face in paying for care if even Kate Garroway couldn’t manage it.

Unless you have been involved with seeking care for a loved one you cannot imagine the stress and hardship involved.
CHC (Where the NHS covers the bills) is IMO not at all fit for purpose. It is arbitrarily awarded, accorded to finance available locally it strikes me, although looking at the criteria many more should be receiving it.
The whole care system needs a complete overhaul, and because it involves a lot of money, no government of any persuasion will tackle it.

I think it is a national disgrace.

The state cannot be paying for £16000 per month care at home. £6000pm will buy good care in a nice care home

I agree with GSM

JenniferEccles

I haven’t seen the programme yet so I can’t comment on it at the moment, but from some posts I see that the funeral was covered in this documentary.

I read one report somewhere (not here) that I’m struggling to believe which claimed that OK magazine was there filming.

Surely that didn’t happen did it?

There are videos outside the church funeral on every news site. I haven't seen any videos of inside the church or the interment but I can't confirm there aren't any.
The clips on the documentary were a few, very poignant, respectful seconds, his carer was a pall bearer, on exiting the church his daughter was a pall bearer (though l don't think this was shown).
The funeral service was in the church where they married, their wedding featured in OK magazine. Maybe that's what has lead to the claim.

karmalady

The state cannot be paying for £16000 per month care at home. £6000pm will buy good care in a nice care home

I agree with GSM

So give the carer the money the state would have to pay the care home. That's the point.

That wouldn’t enable a carer to provide the services of a nursing home.

I didn't see Derek getting any specialist "can only be done by a nurse" care.
It was the basic kind of care any very frail person would get.

The oxygen and so on is able to be taught to care givers.

Has anyone seen the checklist for assessment for CHC before you decide whether people are eligible for NHS care? Even if assessed needing NHS Care according to the criteria it is still a huge fight to get it, because of lack of funding. Just ask anyone who has tried.

I’m not talking about the majority of Care Costs, or Care Homes. However I believe there should be a cap on costs, because those paying the full amount, sometimes for years, subsidise those who don’t pay.

I do so agree Farzanah the continuing care system has not changed in years and most of the tick box questions are not relevant. It is indeed a fight to get it and all the more difficult when you as the carer are feeling very vulnerable and alone and really don't have any fight left in you.

Farzanah ... the system of continuing health care funding is a complete farce.
The truth is that if everyone who was entitled to it got it, the NHS would collapse.
I got it for my OH after two refusals and going through an appeal... which was granted straight away, as there was no question that he qualified.
So ... how come he was refused twice? What would have happened if I had not had existing professional experience of the system? How come, at a time of great sadness and stress, I had to fight his corner? How come it all only happened because I happened to know about it, and no-one highlighted it to me? How come there are legal firms making lots if money from fighting the NHS to get theses rights for people? Why are people not told clearly about their rights and helped to apply without having to expend money on legal help? ... and all these things at a time when a loved one is desperately unwell.
The answer is simple .... the NHS cannot afford to pay for all the thousands of people who qualify, so they ration this help by the sneaky means of not telling people about it and not helping them to apply; and by making the complex application process one to be battled through. Doctors and ward staff are ignorant about it and the NHS is happy for them to stay that way
It seems to me that either the government should make this easily accessible to all who qualify, or should be honest and legislate to get rid of it.
What we have at present is a complete travesty of a system that puts already very stressed people through a deeply stressful process, even supposing they know the right is there.
I had to sell my home to get my OH the care he needed.

Farzanah

Has anyone seen the checklist for assessment for CHC before you decide whether people are eligible for NHS care? Even if assessed needing NHS Care according to the criteria it is still a huge fight to get it, because of lack of funding. Just ask anyone who has tried.

I’m not talking about the majority of Care Costs, or Care Homes. However I believe there should be a cap on costs, because those paying the full amount, sometimes for years, subsidise those who don’t pay.

I have seen it.

My late Mum’s only income was basic state pension. She never received any benefits in her life and always worked. Around the age of 80 she was told she could claim Pension Credit as her income and savings were so low.

Aged 93 she finally had to go into care as she was unsafe at home having been diagnosed with dementia. I had looked after her for 16 years.

She did buy her ex council house about 35 years before so of course she had to sell that to pay for her care home fees. It was extremely sad doing so as it had been her home for 65 years.

I think the whole system needs a complete overhaul.

The basis of the system is the 1948 National Health Service Act that guarantees people free nursing care. I guess at the time this would have been assumed to take place in hospital. But of course this now often takes place at home or in a nursing home ... but that does not alter that right which is enshrined in the act. Nor does it deal with the fact that it has become unaffordable within in the NHS budget.

karmalady

The state cannot be paying for £16000 per month care at home. £6000pm will buy good care in a nice care home

I agree with GSM

Not for someone with complex care needs ....even in a registered home a persons care could cost 20k a month...the 'state' can and do pay this...and more

If care in a care or nursing home is cheaper than care at home, we cannot expect the NHS to pay extra for care at home because that is what someone wants.

You must know then how to claim/insist on these charges being met.
Unless of course there is absolutely no one to take responsibility.
It toook me months to be approved for AA for my H being turned down for pathetic reasons.
I have also told on GN many times how SS said I would have to use all my H"s state pension which is correct but also all his work pension which is totally wrong when he went into care.
When I asked what I would live on I was told I would have to claim benefits when and only when my savings were down to £23,500.

So people shouldn't be allowed to die at home, because being in hospital is cheaper?
I mean at the very end of someone's life.

Luckygirl if everyone who was entitled to it, got it the NHS would collapse.…..and everything else you’ve said is so true.

No government seems able or willing to tackle it so a broken and grossly unfair system limps on, causing much stress to vulnerable people when they are least able to cope with it.

I do not believe either that the Care System should ever have been passed over to the private sector without evidence that it would be more cost effective or efficient.
Privatisation is not always best.

Germanshepherdsmum

If care in a care or nursing home is cheaper than care at home, we cannot expect the NHS to pay extra for care at home because that is what someone wants.

So you think someone should be forced into a home? Genuine question?
The younge people i worked with were teensy early twenties. they had always lived with their parents....they jad been dealt as cruel hand in life...complesx health needs .....many with unpredictable seizures....and often tracheostomy.....they got to stay at home with their families....paid for by CHC funding.....are you suggesting they be moved to a home ....away from the live of their families .....to live out their days in an institution? Thats harsh

Teens ( from age 13 onwards)

Believe when the dying patient insists on going home but hospital staff they can’t discharge on medical grounds, this leaves the family in turmoil- my late Mother pleaded with me to go home but medics said they couldn’t/wouldn’t discharge her even to a hospice… felt tortured and then she died in the hospital bed… she so wanted to see her border collie companion…and you feel you failed…

I noticed that their daughter was lead pallbarer OldFrill which I thought was such a compassionate thing to do while her brother was with their Mum. Don't think they will regret Derek being at home while they all looked after him and he was able to show his appreciation to them.

Well how do you suggest it’s funded? How much extra tax are you willing to pay? Genuine question.

It is possible to do “hospice at home” via the NYS. My dear friend opted for this whilst her (GP) husband was dying from pancreatic cancer. It was an awful experience as it’s so short staffed and few staff covering a huge area.