Park home...

Lots of wise advice here Luckygirl. When a neighbour's mother went into a very good care home because of advanced dementia, her husband was allowed to remain in his home until he died. When the house was eventually sold to release the owed money it did not provide the full amount. As my neighbour said ...they can't get blood out of a stone'. Obviously I don't know the whole story...only what my neighbour said but as I understand it, the amount raised by the house was released to the local authority and the LA had to write off the rest. Quite reasonable. Those without any funds are usually fully funded so when the neighbour's parents' funds ran out they were then in the same position.

Please don't rush into anything ...whatever they say. Of course every situation is different. Hope the meeting goes well. We are all rooting for you.

I understand you need to have a back up plan and, if it’s any help, my DS came very close to purchasing some land with the idea of putting a new park home on it. The park homes he (we - I’m nosey!) looked at were lush! Very nice, well insulated and nice layouts. Very liveable. But little or no storage if you’re a bit of a hoarder.

How would it pan out for benefits though? Surely you’ll put yourself over the savings limit and you’ll have to pay the full whack which will rather negate the benefits of selling up?

Absolutely disgraceful Luckygirl You should not have this extra stress on top of everything else. Maw is right don't do anything in a hurry, look at your options. There have been several good suggestions on here.
Park Homes are much improved now and can be quite luxurious. However there can be additional expenses attached to owning one which can mount up so beware.

Time for the country and the Government to look at ways of funding care for older and other vulnerable people.

Thank you for advice and for the useful link.

I have been registered with AgeUK for financial advice and given the relevant phone number - but I cannot get through. There are probably millions of us in this situation. I have a fairly free day tomorrow so I will try again.

I spent this afternoon at the NH where a SW took me, a nurse and my OH through a gruelling 1.5 hours filling in a form with silly rigid questions concentrating on what he can't do - well that cheered us all up!

She is however hopeful that we will get the SSD contribution towards the NH, although the decision will not be made till Thursday of next week - about £300 a week is what will come from them - so that only leaves me with £900 a week to find!!!

Just a thought, but have you been given info about getting an advocate to help you and speak on your behalf. Pohwer is one name that springs to mind and i believe your local council should be able to help you obtain one. You are wading through a minefield and someone who could take some of the load may be helpful.

Lucky in your OP you mention the possibility of mortgaging - I see there are now a number of building societies offering a lifetime mortgage, is that something you could consider?

If you do go down the route of selling, instead of buying a park home what about selling-up completely and renting?

I'm surprised to read on other threads that you can sell a property then rent a housing association flat, one for the over 55s presumably.

With a park home, private flat whatever, you would have maintenance, service charge etc., which would eat into your capital, if you have any left that is.

When eventually you are bled-dry by your husband's NH fees and your own living expenses you would get pension credit and housing benefit.

I'm just thinking out loud here!

Thank you for explaining your situation, Luckygirl. I understand now, though am spitting tacks with rage at the unfairness of it all. I also understand now that you feel you want a safety net in your mind - I'd be like that too.

What happens to residents whose ability to pay runs out? That can't be an uncommon situation.

I would definitely advise waiting. The government has promised (yes I know all about every government’s broken promises) it will end the gross unfairness of folk having to sell their home to pay care fees.

Obviously it won’t happen quickly but it would be a huge shame if you sold just before the new legislation came into force.

I think Ageuk is a good first port of call. Their website has lots of good downloads.

Lucky, I hope you are feeling as though you will be able to get through this nightmare minefield.
There must be an organisation that is expert in helping with the situation you find yourself in. You probably have explored all sorts of avenues, but we live in hope that you may find a solution.
We have followed your nail-biting path, with always the thought that a miracle will happen.
I am so sorry that we cannot help, but please keep us up to date with how things pan out. Exhausting as it may be.
Thought, and love and prayers for your journey.

I know three different people who live in this type of housing. Two who have recently purchased and one who has lived in one for several years. Their's are spacious,(rather like a small bungalow) warm and well insulated, all have a small garden
attached and one has a garage. So sad for your situation.

Thanks for these thoughts and wise advice - I am just putting out feelers at this stage as it helps me to know that I have some fall-back position when liquid funds run out. In shock indeed! - I am shocked at how crass the LA is in its dealings with me. Would I like to get evidence that he is unlikely to outlive my funds so that they know they will not be left holding the financial baby? - well no, not really, I would rather not, but it looks as though I have no choice.

What a minefield.

Good post maw.

Luckygirl do not panic!
Any decision about selling up or downsizing should not be one taken while you are under all this stress. Do not even suggest you might be willing to realise your assets- you need a home to live in and if or when you do decide to move, that should be a calm and considered decision on your part.
I personally think you are still in a degree of shock, so please, please do not do anything rash.

You are right SueDonim - if I realise some capital my OH will be over he financial limit for SSD input; but if I don't I will not have enough money to pay for his care - rock and a hard place I feel.

The LA are not forcing me to sell/take mortgage etc., but they are saying that they will only contribute up to a ceiling and that the family have to then "top up" - a slightly jokey phrase since the amount I will be paying far exceeds any tiny contribution they might come up with. The ceiling amount is so low that there are very few NHs that are prepared to accept people at that amount; and those homes that do are absolutely not places that you would wish a loved-one to go.

So I have no choice but to find this extra money from somewhere. Indeed I may have to pay the lot as tomorrow a panel are meeting to decide whether they will contribute at all - even though he has been financially assessed for the amount they should pay. The reasoning would be that they do not trust me to pay the top-up, even though I have explained that I have plans in place based on a financial advisor's advice. I am completely in their hands - these people who have never met me or my OH.

It is a complete disgrace.

It may be different in Scotland but my understanding is that no one can force you to sell your home to pay care home fees for a spouse.

It seems to me that the danger of realising a lot of capital is that it will then be subject to the govt clawing it all off you again, leaving you with nothing, as you will be above the savings limit.

I don't know what the answer is, but the very fact you are having to consider this is appalling and I feel very angry about it.

I haven’t lived in a Park home lucky but did consider one for fabulous views.

The home you are thinking about isn’t on a site so no fees to pay. I’m assuming it’s connected to mains services, has public transport accessible to it, has adequate parking for you and visitors, is in a convenient location and there are no outstanding planning issues for the plot. Is there a garden?

Insulation in new park homes is excellent. Many have an en suite bathroom and a walk in wardrobe in the main bedroom, a second bedroom, family bathroom and roomy living accommodation. Have you looked at it? Storage can be reasonable or minimal and yes, they can lose value over time. If it’s an older park home you would need a specialist surveyor to check it out for integrity and insulation level. We looked at them, loved the layout of many of the new ones and the views from one site but were deterred by site fees and lack of public transport.

Please seek advice on the funding issue, of course you want to do the best for your husband but so hard to have to leave your home.

This is going back quite a few years and rules may be different now but my husband's aunt had to go into a home as she had dementia. Her only child (unmarried man in his fifties) lived in the same house and was being pressurised to sell it to pay for fees. He went to his MP who fought the case for him and the authorities backed down. When his mother died, he inherited the house and he still lives there.

I have a friend who lives in a lakeside mobile home and she loves it but as with many of these places you can't live in them a full 12 months of the year so that would be something to look into. Have you thought about a small apartment in a retirement block?

I also can't believe you would be made to sell your home to pay for the NH fees though. When my mum went into care dad was still in their house and it was only when he too went into care that the house was taken into consideration to pay for her (he was fully funded). A second charge was put on it until it was sold. I appreciate all areas are different and this was 10 years ago so things may be different where you are.

Park homes are not what they used to be - and the law changed in 2013, making things better for residents. (e.g. you can sell to whomever you like: there is no obligation to sell to the park owner.) Lots of information here: www.ageuk.org.uk/globalassets/age-uk/documents/factsheets/fs71_park_homes_fcs.pdf

A friend moved into a park home, while he very much enjoys everything about it the costs have been much greater than he first thought.

Yes, I agree with Auntieflo, it's called the Deferred Payment Scheme: www.nhs.uk/conditions/social-care-and-support-guide/money-work-and-benefits/paying-for-your-own-care-self-funding/
Scroll down the page for relevant info.

That's true flo but the home and fees have to be acceptable to SS/LA I believe and on their list.

Yes, that is my understanding too.