Families charged ‘over the odds’ for relatives’ social care fees

[Alison J Stevens]

http://www.communitycare.co.uk/2018/03/23/families-charged-odds-rel...

My Husband was in a care home for 7 months, because he was having seizures and i was working at the time and could not look after him, because of my own health problems.

Because he had lost Mental Capacity at the time i had to go via the Court of protection to get Deputyship over his health and welfare and finances and properties.

I could not get into his current account to pay the care fees,until Power of attorney or becoming a Deputy via the Court of Protection, he was also on a DOLS in the care home.

The LA agreed to pay the care fees until i could get into my husbands current account.

But that did not stop the Finances Department at the LA, from calling at least twice a week on the phone to settle the bill even though they new the situation that i could not get into his current account to settle the bill.

This Department even breached the Data Protection Act with regards to Myself and wrote an email to My co worker at PAIN who was acting as an Advocate with regards to the financial issues.

Somebody from the finances Department emailed my co worker asking for my husbands bank account details.as well as submitting my advocates contact details to my Brother in Law.

Yes they admitted their gross incompetence and supplied myself and my advocate with a sincere apology.

I eventually got power of attorney and received the care bill, which was £4000.00 more than it should of been.

The whole amount cost over £21.000.00 for a 7 month stay.

Something drastic was about to happen they demanded that i agreed to sign for a deferred payment on our jointly owned property even though i was still living in the property and my husband was still in the care home.

Result i had to have him home and care for him  myself to prevent having to pay any more care fees.

The amount was paid, and i am my husbands full time carer,i get stressed out and upset due to my long term serious health problems.

On another front i had to wait for nearly a year for the LA to pay me a one off payment of £200,so i could get a weekend away.

The whole experience has left me on the verge of a nervous break down, as i very nearly lost my house as well.