Funded Dad needs to get out more

summer74

hi please could someone help with advice on this matter… my father is fully funded in a nursing home. He is paraplegic with dementia. The home purchased an additional vehicle when my father became a resident because his wheelchair didn't fit in their current car. The vehicle is assessable to him but only when the one driver is not taking someone else to an appointment, fixing something (he is also the maintenance man) and the van is only available during the week and NOT weekends. I have asked if we can drive it, I'd get trained/insurance if needed but that wasn't allowed. It seems awkward at time to book in to take Dad out and we can only use for a little while. I'm thinking of purchasing our own vehicle so we have more freedom especially when we work during the week and it's at weekend that we'd like to bring him home and take him out. My questions are. Where do I stand in regards to getting help purchasing/leasing a vehicle? Can we get financial help? Should the care home provide a driver at weekends? I'm concerned Dad isn't getting out enough and needs more freedom.

OverlyAnxious

Hi,

Does your father receive any of the benefits that would entitle him to the Motability scheme?

If he does, you can exchange the payments for a vehicle lease. The vehicle could only be used for his purposes, but you can be the nominated driver for the vehicle.

summer74

hi thanks for your reply. Do at present he doesn't get any mobility entitlement. He is fully funded so I didn't know that I could apply for any benefits for him?

Kimi87

How old is Dad?

As he is fully funded, he can't apply for Attendance Allowance (over State Pension age) which doesn't have a mobility component anyway.

Eligibility for the Motability scheme is here:

https://www.motability.co.uk/get-support/faqs/am-i-eligible/

If he's under State Pension age, he can claim for PIP and if eligible he can get the mobility component. He wouldn't be eligible for Daily Living.

OverlyAnxious

As far as I'm aware, the Mobility component of PIP could still be paid when funded in a care home. Just the Daily Living part that would stop. However, if he is above pension age then it is too late to apply for that now.

(Edit - We posted at the same time)

summer74

Thank you. He is 83.