Tax Breaks - care homes?

[Michael E]

Bit depressing but have been visiting the local Alziemers Group here in La Rochelle and have been looking at the cost of care homes so I could make a comparison between the French and English systems - and then decide where we should live!

It would appear that a good local (to me) home would cost UK£16,800 PA and an excellent (apparently) home that specialises in Alzheimers in Royan (about an hour away) would cost £20,000 PA.

I get the feeling from other posts that these prices for good homes are less than UK equivalents....

So does the british government make in tax breaks for folks in my situation - I would be getting to the edge of the financially possible and an income tax reduction would really help - Any one know the general situation....

regards

Michael

 

[Jude]

Hi Michael,

Sounds like we should all move to France right away!

Sorry I can't answer your question on tax, but it seems like you would be well ahead financially just by not having to pay the enormous monthly care fees in the UK.

Run it by your Accountant.

Best wishes,

Jude

 

[Sandy]

Hi Michael,

You might want to take a look at this fact sheet:

http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/Caring...idential_and_nursing_care/info_payingfees.htm

The assessment for contribution to fees seems to be based on assets (half of joint assets in the case of a married couple), excluding the joint property. The only link to tax that I know of is a reduction in council tax as the person with AD is not liable to pay it.

There is one case where the state will pay all the costs - NHS Continuing Care, which you can read about here:

http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/Caring..._and_nursing_care/continuingNHShealthcare.htm

One other point that may or may not be relevant in the long term. A friend of a friend of mine lives in France and has a mother with AD. The mother was a real polyglot speaking French, German, English and Spanish. As her illness has progressed, she has lost her non-native languages and now can only speak French.

This may never be an issue with Monique, but it could be another factor to consider in formulating your long term plans.

Take care,

Sandy

 

[Michael E]

Sandy hi,

thanks for the reply - I looked at the fact sheets - I think I am better off in France... They do not split the assets but in our case it's academic as a few years ago, for good reasons, I put everything in joint names which means Monique owns half my business and ... well - I was just hoping that care home fees might be decutible in some way as it's pretty marginal for me even at the French rates... still I lived in a sail boat for 10 years and love it so I can always sell some things and do that again... Good side to everything..

Your point about Language is well made thank you.. We have always conversed in English and I sort of assumed Monique (who came to the UK when she was 21) was more comfortable in that language... Recently - recent weeks at 'sundowning' time adn mornings she she speaks to me in French. If what you say is right then she would be totally lost in the UK if she only spoke French... Means I will probably stay here - Lots of good sides to things ...

Kind of you to come back with the info

regards

Michael