Vital Funding Guidance For Adult Children With Elderly Parents Needing Care, UK

Main Category: Seniors / Aging
Also Included In: Caregivers / Homecare
Article Date: 10 Oct 2007 - 1:00 PDT

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You've brought up children, put them through education and now you're approaching retirement. It's time to think about relaxing…. but can you, if you have elderly parents?

One in five British adults have elderly parents who require care and assistance and one in four of those aged over 65 will require some form of Long Term Care. In, fact almost everyone in the UK will either need care or become a carer - according to health think-tank, The King's Fund and others, including Age Concern and Help the Aged.

Denial and ill preparation

Despite this, however, most adult children are in denial about their parents ever needing care. Care homes are a subject that's just too taboo for them and/or their parents to even think about. So, when mum does suddenly have a fall or stroke, or her dementia has reached the stage where she can't safely live at home, where do they turn? The present system of paying for care is governed by a labyrinth of legislation guidance and rulings dating back to 1948 - and is rife with inconsistencies when determining who pays for what. People are simply ill prepared for what to expect - many missing out on funding or support they could get if they were in the know.

For both adult children and their parents, moving into a care home can be an incredibly emotional and stressful time. On the one hand, there will be the wanting of the best care possible for mum, on the other hand may be the feeling of guilt for not being able to provide it themselves. And then there's the money. Mum wanted to leave her house to her children, but it looks like it's going to be swept away in a torrent care fees!

Specialised, experienced advice available now from NHFA

Families should be encouraged to seek advice. Funding long-term care is a complex area and, as the OFT and others have reported, advice and information at this difficult time is not readily available. Even when you might think all is sorted out, circumstances can change and so does the funding. A specialist care fees adviser such as NHFA Care Fees Advice can give expert guidance on all these issues - making the whole process for the whole family that much easier and successful. Be prepared. Don't let care costs leave a legacy of decimated family assets. For further information and NHFA contact details go to the comprehensive feature article on the Care Directions website.

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Thank you for your interest and co-operation.

http://www.caredirections.co.uk

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