AGE CONCERN ESSEX - DISCUSSION BOARD

NHS CONTINUING CARE

Have you been disadvantaged? What are your experiences of the current system?

The Health Services Commissioner (Ombudsman) has said that some health authorities have been using over-restricitive eligibility criteria to decide whether individual patients are entitled to free NHS care in a care home. Some older people have had to sell their properties to pay fees for care which should properly have been free. In these cases the health authority may reimburse nursing home fees to some individuals or their estates.

Do you think that this applies to you or a relative? If so, you could ask for a review or make a complaint to the relevant health authority.

What do you think of the current system, and how has it affected you? AGE CONCERN ESSEX would love to hear from you and have further information and advice if needed.

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AGE CONCERN ESSEX reserves the right to edit or not publish contributions to the Discussion Boards.
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The following contribution was received on July 6th 2006 from Coggeshall:

In 1996 we were told that my parents-in-law would have to enter a Nursing Home, and that their house & savings would have to be used to meet the costs. Mother in law had suffered a stroke, and was immobile, unable to speak and doubly incontinebt. Father law had Alzheimers. One died in 1999 & the other in 2000. In 2003 when the Ombudsman's Report came out the family sought restitution of the costs and since then have been battling through delays, incompetence and a welter of paperwork. So far we have recovered the costs of the last 6 months of father-in-law's and the last 6 weeks of mothr-in-law's life. At least we are spared the pressure of doing this while they are still alive!

The following contribution was received on November 23rd., 2006 from London:

My mother has Alzheimers and is in a home in Ealing. We have been trying to get continuing care for the last three years. My mum has used her life savings and we had to sell the family home which was bought by my two older brothers and parents to pay for nursing home fees. I don't know where to go next with this it is so frustrating. Would appreciate any advice.

Age Concern Essex is a Company Limited By Guarantee No. 4309519 and a Registered Charity No. 1091058.

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