My 96 year old aunt is resident in the dementia unit of a local care home; she has been assessed as having nursing needs, although these are not considered serious enough to gain full NHS funding. My aunt is completely unable to do anything for herself and is effectively 'bed bound'. Currently she is self funding but getting close to the limit at which she will qualify for Social Services support. However the funds she will be entitled to will not cover the costs of her current care home, or in fact any home in the area. Social Services have confirmed the shortfall and I have asked if they can find her a home that doesn't require a 'top up' for the funding shortfall and they can't find one that provides the dementia and nursing care she needs. They have told me that 'family' will have to provide the 'top up'. My aunt never married, so my sister and I are her nearest relatives and we cannot afford the £500 per month that would be needed. She has no property, so I proposed using her remaining savings to fill the gap, but was told that this was not possible 'top up' must come from a third party. My sister and I are at our wits end, but are we worrying about nothing? Has anyone been in a similar position and can advise me please. Thank you for reading this ramble.
I did ask for her to be reassessed and they reached the same conclusion. We also talked it through with the Manager and he said that it was illogical but it had happened with a lot of the residents. I'm baffled but 'hey ho'!!Lack of public toilets in towns.
