Dementia and Benefits

JoJean

Hi all,

I am currently receiving Support rate New ESA and PiP. I live with my long suffering husband who works full time we are both in our mid-late 50s. My Mum is nearing 90 and although physically fit, she has rapidly increasing dementia and now is at the point where she needs constant supervision. She isn’t wandering, but gets very disoriented if she is left alone. We are just waiting to see what variety of dementia it is. She gets AA at the lower rate and I am now wondering if she might qualify for the higher rate? Currently, she has friend of longstanding that lives with her, but it has become increasingly apparent that they aren’t coping and he has decided to go into sheltered accommodation. Mom is therefore coming to live with us in the short term, as she needs constant supervision but isn’t ready for a care home. We have an added complication that Mom and I own my house and if she were to go into a care home, I think that the local authority would make us sell the property to fund her care; leaving us homeless. We are not in a financial position to be able to buy another property as I own less than 50% - we are tenants in common.

My next question is: Would the LA make us sell immediately or put a charging order onto the property to sell on Mom’s death? Could we have that extended until my death, if a charging order was appropriate and how do I go about finding this information out from the LA? Hubbie and I and trying to do the best for my Mom (his Mum is poorly as well which isn’t helping the situation) but trying to get information is a nightmare, as we have no idea where to start. Can SCOPE help?

Thank you in advance

Kimi87

I'd recommend getting advice from Age UK:

https://www.ageuk.org.uk/services/age-uk-advice-line/

Kimi87