Paying for social care - good news or bad news?

Granny 23 I am so sorry to read your post about your husband. It should remind us all that life is very unfair and none of us know what the future might be. I sometimes wonder whether policy makers ever imagine themselves in this position or whether they think it only happens to other people, people who just have to put up with things. I hope you can get the help you need. Don't be afraid to ask. Often friends and neighbours will be happy to help and it is really important for you to have some time to be the person you are, and not just a carer.

granny23

granny23

granny23 I am so sorry to read your post. Yes I can quite see that dementia is harder for the career than the cared for. Once you are over the shock and beginning to come to terms with it, perhaps the way forward to explore every possible avenue that will give you help and respite.

Keep posting if you feel the need as I'm sure there will be grans who can provide advice and sympathy.

Oh Granny23 - so sorry to hear of your plight. You are not alone and my heart goes out to you.

www.theguardian.com/society/2017/may/19/theresa-mays-tax-on-dementia-adds-to-burden-of-those-already-suffering-most

Same here, Granny23. I used to hate it when my husband said I was his carer to authorities. It was true for 15 years, but I still didn't like it, even when he was bedridden at the end.
Get as much help as you can.
He had a blue badge all those years, and a motability car.
When he could no longer drive, I was allowed a few years no claims on the insurance as I did it through the same company that Motability used the first time.

I know it was different because my husband had cancer for the last six months, but the hospital put us in touch with a group that sent people round to sit with him so that I could get out occasionally. Look at your local Ageuk site to find out if there is anyone to help with that.
Someone also used to come round and give him reflexology to help him relax - and me.

granny23 sorry our posts crossed- hope I didn't offend you, your situation sounds horrendous and just illustrates how the health lottery can affect some people unfairly.

Granny23 been there,done that and wear the tee-shirt.
You have my total understanding and sympathy.

I dont object to a robust inheritance tax which would raise money for both health and social care plus I don't understand why someone with alzheimer's, or who has disabilities has to pay but someone with cancer , diabetes etc doesn't, its an arbitrary distinction. I think both health and social care should be funded equally through taxation. Just because you don't have children, doesn't mean you don't contribute to education through taxation, so surely everyone should contribute to a properly funded care system, not just those poor souls who need it. This proposed scheme is a licence for insurance companies to raise money through equity schemes, I think that is what is unfair, and thats why I'd rather not pay for my care this way, and would rather head for the overdose bottle.

It has been some week for us. Tuesday was the Consultant's Appointment when the big D word (Dementia) was finally spoken out loud, followed by the explanation of the RULES regarding Driving, basically 'return your licence voluntarily or have it taken from you forcibly'. Ian insisted on driving home, then flung his car keys at me, refused to discuss for the rest of the day. I am now officially his Carer not his wife - a job that I would never have undertaken voluntarily and to which I am temperamentally seriously unsuited.

Wednesday - Day Therapy as usual, 10.00 to 15,00 (I drove a silent Ian, there and back) only to be told that now that the Diagnosis has been confirmed Ian's 'case' will be transferred to Social Work rather than NHS Scotland and Day Therapy (which has given me my only bit of Me Time) will no longer be offered.
Also explained all the ins and outs of the changed status, including that I will have to insure the car in my name. I shall be a 70 year old 'new' driver so dreading how much that will cost. Also that we may be entitled to a Blue Badge and Attendance Allowance. Questioned about Power of Attorney, which thankfully we already have, as a Dementia diagnosis may be taken as proof that the sufferer is no longer able to understand and consent to setting one up. Told that I should attend carer's groups for support for myself as Dementia is a disease that is harder on the carer than the cared for. Also told that Ian should not be left 'Home Alone' at any time which negates the possibility of me attending any day-time groups.

Was too upset to do my planned shift at the Election Campaign Office so went home to find Ian's notice to complete a Tax Return, full of threats re non-compliance, through the letter box. Added Tax Accountant to the list of Carer's duties

Thursday, still all shook up, hear that May's Manifesto includes a 'Dementia Tax' which will hit us hard in terms of paying for care as we are already relying on cashing in our investments to balance the weekly budget. Cashing them in = less investment income so need to sell some more.

Someone on this thread pointed out that this is Dementia Awareness Week but it would seem that the Powers That Be either have no such awareness or, alternatively, deliberately rob the poor, the just making ends meet and the, vulnerable to help the Rich and Powerful. I am clinging on to the hope that the Scottish Government will be able to continue to provide Free Personal Care for the elderly (though this might prove impossible once these cuts in England mean a reduction via the Barnett formula in the Scottish Budget. Otherwise the only folk providing free personal care will be me - and the 1000s more in the same situation.

Regardless of when the house is sold dd the question remains why should a dementia sufferer pay any more than a cancer sufferer?

I didn't make this up either.

www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/201705/large-9323-170519-dementia-tax-insurance-scam1.jpg

Daphne, read Zoopla.

www.zoopla.co.uk/discover/property-news/cheaper-to-rent-than-buy-in-over-half-of-british-cities/

I did't make it up.

suzied What about the 25% who won't inherit money from property? What will happen is that a huge underclass of people with no hope of buying would be created.

The house would NOT be taken away when you get older!!! It would not need to be sold until you're dead.

dj It's not cheaper to rent than buy, if people have enough for a deposit.

trisher

Nobody would have to sell their house while they were still alive. Do you think it's right that people who don't have any assets have to pay (via tax) for the children of people with assets to inherit.

1 25% of over 65s have no assets, so this wouldn't affect them.

2 People going into care homes already often have to sell their home, until their assets are down to £23,000(?). The threshold would be raised to £100,000, so they (or their descendants) would be better off.

3 The only people who would lose out would be the descendants of people who receive care in their own homes and the money wouldn't be payable until after death. Even then, they would be able to keep £100,000. Approximately 40% of over 65s have assets (including their home) worth over £500,000. The children are hardly going to be left poor!

It's a funny old world when people with left-wing views support preserving the wealth of the wealthiest 75%. Personally, I'm more concerned about the bottom 25%.

Hip replacements are now called elective surgery. That idea always makes me smile. Who chooses to have a hip replaced?

Can anyone explain why rich pensioners in Edinburgh should have a winter fuel allowance, but not those in London?

It has occurred to me that I can have my hips and knees replaced, my heart fixed if it goes wrong, have medication for diabetes or other long term conditions, have long and expensive treatment for cancer and lots of other treatment on the NHS for free. So I may in my dotage cost absolutely thousands but if I develop dementia my house will have to pay for my care. It isn't fair or right. Can you imagine the outcry if it was announced that someone needing a hip replacement had to sell their house to pay for it?

On Zoopla, whitewave.

The cost of housing is the main reason we moved back up north in the 80s.

My parents lived with my grandparents until they died. So we lived in a 2.5 bedroomed house.

Grandparents had the master bedroomed. I shared a bedroom with my sister and my parents slept in the tiny box room which just fitted a 4'6" bed.
I can remember the tensions that used to erupt occasionally, and no privacy for a married couple.

Will be going back to that.

Well dj the average 2bed flat costs £1250.00pm. We are not talking luxury here either, some in the old regency buildings are grim. So there will clearly be many who will find that impossible.

I have just been reading that in most southern cities it is cheaper to rent than to buy. It's the reverse in the northern cities. In Cambridge, Brighton and Reading monthly costs are 25% more to buy, therefore it makes more sense to rent, particularly if the house is going to be taken away from you when you get older.
I bet the jams are really thinking about who to vote for now.

I would rather head for Dignitas or an overdose than spend all my family assets on living out a few years in a miserable hugely expensive care home with dementia. I am sure others feel the same. Its come to something when we are hoping for a swift heart attack or cancer rather than old age. For many youngsters, inheritance is the only way they'll get a foot on the property ladder, that ladder is now being taken away.