Care home fees: issues to look for?

alzuser

Registered User
Jul 30, 2015
11
0
I've been looking at the T&Cs for various care homes that we've visited.

I've noticed that the larger corporate homes seem to have adopted the practice of hiding some of the fees in an up-front deposit equivalent to one month's fees. In some cases, some of this is refundable, in some cases not (as far as I can see). This deposit has then to be amortised over the whole length of stay to find out what the true total cost will be.

I'm now wondering if I'm missing any other scams that they're likely to pull? I'd appreciate any information as to:

1. sharp financial practices to watch out for
2. opportunities for negotiation of fees, or T&Cs in general.
 

Jessbow

Registered User
Mar 1, 2013
5,679
0
Midlands
In general, I would say ,the vast majority of care homes/ nursing homes don't pull any form of scam at all.

A month deposit is not unusual
 

loveahug

Registered User
Nov 28, 2012
1,071
0
Moved to Leicester
The contract for my mother's care included a clause on annual fee increases based on the average cost of living rise for the previous year however they seem to assume that no-one checks it because the increase notified this year was double what it should have been! When tackled they blamed an admin error.
 

jenniferpa

Registered User
Jun 27, 2006
39,442
0
I think the biggest thing to look for is their policy at the end of the contract, and what they do in the event of long-term hospitalization or an inability to care for the person (due to deterioration). It's not that I think you have much of a hope of changing anything in the contract but you should be aware of the contract terms.

I personally would not call these things "sharp practices" but a lot of people don't seem to realise that they are quite likely (for example) to have to continue to pay for the room for a period of time in the event of death.

Jessbow - I agree with both your points.
 

2jays

Registered User
Jun 4, 2010
11,598
0
West Midlands
Ask how many weeks do you need to pay for, when your mother dies.

Some only charge for the days they were using the room, some want one months money.

Also find out if monies are in advance or not. Mums wanted one month deposit and one month in advance....
I said I could only pay the deposit when money was released from bonds etc as mum didn't have that amount of ready cash. Took them 2 years to ask for the deposit....


Sent from my iPhone using Talking Point
 

cragmaid

Registered User
Oct 18, 2010
7,936
0
North East England
Who pays for laundry?
Who pays for newspapers, sweets,TV licence if appropriate?
Who pays for outings?
Who pays if funding is required to provide escort duty to opticians, dentists, hospital appointments?
Who pays if special dietry needs are required?
Who pays for incontinence sheets ( Kylies) if required?
Who pays for wheelchair/rollator/walker if not the NHS?
Who pays if a profile bed or air matress is required or if any reclining seat is needed because the resident cannot sleep in a bed?
How is the pocket money system admisintered?

One Month in advance is the norm for a deposit. One Month is the norm, unless stated otherwise, for notice of the termination of contract by either side.
Normally full fees will be paid during any "empty time" due to vacation or hospitalisation, but there may be a discount if longer stays in hospital occur. To be discussed at the time.
Any increase in the fees at my Mum's home were advised, in writing, at least two months in advance.

I only paid for Mum's room until such time as it was vacated (cleared) after her death....on a daily pro rata basis, however this was simply the choice of her home.

Top up fees are to be arranged with the pesonn signing the contract.
Mum was a self funder under an LPA scheme untl her property was sold some 18 months after she took up residence. She was in a private home, one of a chain of about 10 homes in her area.
Hope this helps.