A good and then a bad sort of week

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I've been a bit quiet this week or so. Finishing off a series of new paintings for a September exhibition. Just framing them up now, so was feeling satisfied and quite pleased it had all worked out OK. So far so good. Then it all went pear-shaped.

The week before I had received the news that my cousin had died. She was much older than me and had been in a care home, so the news wasn't unexpected. Before my diagnosis I and another coz. had our names down as LPAs for her in case we were needed. I relinquished that when I thought I was headed for that last ride into the sunset. Then came Covid and she caught it and landed in hospital - where she recovered and was sent to a care home to recuperate. That turned into a permanent stay until her recent death. I was unable to visit her and we only managed a few calls before she became too infirm following a series of small strokes in the final months.

I had been informed by social workers, as her next of kin, that the NHS would fund her care home until a financial assessment had been done. Despite numerous messages that this assessment would be done, by the time she died, to my knowledge no assessment had ever been carried out in the two years + she was in there. So it came as something of a shock to receive a letter from Suffolk County Council informing me that I was going to receive a bill for my cousin's care for £21, 425.69 !!!

If any of you have any experience of this sort of thing then I'd be grateful to hear from you. From Googling, it would appear that the Council are just trying it on in order to get money into their coffers. I have read that next-of-kin do not have any liability for the care of a relative. We did not agree to anything or sign anything in this regard. Trouble is, you get something like this out of the blue and before you know it, it's playing on your mind and you're lying there in the early hours wondering if a pile of stress is about to land on your head.

Apologies for posting a bit of a downer. I'll be back to art and beaches soon hopefully.

Hugs to all,

Rainie

xxx

Rainieday over 3 years ago in reply to Gragon

Thanks Gragon. Will look into this, as it looks like my Coz and I are going to have to cover the funeral costs and other fees, so it would be useful to be able to have money from the estate cover those outgoings, without the Council grabbing it all. You take care, Rainie x

Artist assistant over 3 years ago in reply to Gragon

Thanks for giving our friend Rainie such good advice Gragon and what a pleasure to see you name on a post.

ownedbystaffies over 3 years ago in reply to Gragon

Age Uk may also be hepful. The bill is not yours unless you are th executor dealing ith the estatre ( still the estate's though)

anndanv over 3 years ago in reply to Gragon

Hi Gragon, It's good to see you posting! You are right about the estate not being liable either as you say, it's their problem for not doing the assessment sooner! Hope you are enjoying the heat! It is a lot hotter there than here!

Love Annette x

Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery, Today is a Gift!!!

tvman over 3 years ago

Hi , I typed a reply to you, I logged in and hit the reply button and my reply disappeared! I'm fortunate though that I copied my reply, as I have advised people in the past. So here it is.

Hi , wow what a bombshell. I'm so sorry to hear of your cousin's passing and what a shame you were unable to see her in her hour of need.

I don't want to or know of your financial situation but you really must go to a solicitor to sort this out. If you hadn't signed anything I don't see how you should receive an invoice for her care, I think they're trying it on. I think they're clutching at straws and maybe if you or I were in charge of a care home we'd do exactly the same.

Violence is certainly not an option but I'd be round there giving them a piece of my mind although a solicitor may not agree to that! As I've said I don't know your financial situation so you may benefit from legal aid.

Good luck with your quest Rainie

Tvman xx

Love life and family.

Rainieday over 3 years ago

I spoke today with a lovely chap from CAB. They had referred me to him and he called me. I am taking his advice. He says that no relative is liable for these fees. They will indeed come out of the estate but if there isn't enough money then we will not be liable for any shortfall.

He advises that I write and send it signed for delivery to set everything out. This is because a formal invoice has now arrived from the Council wanting the full amount by July 8th!. I do not want to end up on some debtors list for dodgy credit because the Council have made a blunder. I hope it can be sorted out once and for all. Thanks for all your messages and advice. Rainie x

tvman over 3 years ago in reply to Rainieday

That sounds promising Rainie.

Tvman xx

Love life and family.

Salis over 3 years ago in reply to Rainieday

Hi Rainie, I have just caught up with this thread. I am sorry to hear about the death of your cousin, it is sad that you were unable to visit her.

I am horrified, though sadly not shocked at what the county council are doing. I am so glad that you have had advice from the CAB. I hope that you and your other cousin are able to access funds for the funeral expenses.

Last but not least good luck with your exhibition in September.

Best wishes

Sarah

Rainieday over 3 years ago in reply to Salis

Thankyou Sal. Hope all will be sorted soon. It preys on the mind. But sorry to hear you also have had Covid and hope it hasn't dragged you down too much. Hugs. Rainie x