It’s not easy caring for elderly parents.  I remember how hard my ex’s mum struggled supporting her own mother who had dementia.  In the end it got to be too much.  She needed constant supervision to make sure she didn’t injure herself.  The deterioration was so hard to watch.  Some parts you can handle, like the repetition of conversations.  But when they start to forget who you are it’s heart-breaking.

Then you have the guilt on top to deal with.  The family were torn, some felt that they should continue trying to juggle her care at home themselves whilst the majority had reached their limit.  They were still working and were exhausted having to provide round the clock care a few days/nights a week each.  Rather surprisingly the ones that pitched in the least were the one’s dead set against a move to a care home.

Financial Support For Elderly Parents

I am sure cost probably factored in somewhere too.  Some of the family would have been anxious about financing a stay in a nursing home.  It’s usually means tested.  Their own assets are stripped to pay for the support and care they will receive.

CHC Funding

What many don’t realize is that there is assistance out there.  You can see if you are eligible to have the costs covered by CHC funding.  It’s easy to find out if you qualify, just fill in the online assessment.  NHS Continuing Healthcare Funding doesn’t look at how much you earn or any savings you have squirreled away.  It is an objective decision based on your medical needs.  If you pass the assessment the NHS will cover the cost of supporting your elderly parents either in their home or in a residential care placement.

I think that would make a huge difference for many people.  It would take away some of the worry as nursing home fees average £1000 a week for those funding it themselves.  Any savings your elderly parents had would soon disappear otherwise and their property if they live alone could be sold.  It’s awful to think they worked all their life and now must lose everything to pay for their care.    I know I would want my children to benefit from any savings I had.  Some places are charging well over the odds for substandard care.  Not all care homes are equal.

Selling Their Property

Just remember that local authorities can’t count the house as an asset if your parent’s partner still lives there or if their child is living there and under 18.  So, don’t despair about this straight away, it might be possible to hang on to the property.

Attendance Allowance

You can claim this if you are funding your own care.  But its only a small amount towards the cost of a nursing home, a drop in the ocean really.  You can find out more information regarding how to claim attendance allowance here.  But to be honest I think you should apply for anything your entitled too however small, especially if it can make life with elderly parents less of a financial strain.

Power of Attorney

If you know your parent’s health is deteriorating it’s worth getting power of attorney whilst they are still capable to agreeing to it.  This means you will be able to access their savings and come up with the best options to fund their care.