The frightening cost of a live-in professional carer

From John Heys.

IT is an obvious and unfortunate fact that we are all getting older, and generally do not give it much thought until we hear sobering stories like this one.

The wife of a very good friend of mine became ill, to the point where she was in need of professional care, and so a home live-in carer was engaged from a Jersey agency.

As well as nice accommodation, all food, time off etc., provided, meals out were paid for by the patient, who was shocked to see on the monthly bill a charge of 50p per mile had been levied for the use of the car, this on top of the care bill of £3,024 per week, which equates to £18 per hour, £432 per day, totalling £157,680 per year.

To reduce the burden another Jersey agency was engaged at only £255 per day, but £720 per 24 hours attendance over a bank holiday, another intolerable situation, and so enquiries were made to a UK company, who were pleased to provide a very efficient live-in carer from £550 a week. In this case, the care required came to £93 per day or £653 per week.

Unfortunately the lady in question got to the point where nursing home attention was required, and on my recommendation one was engaged at £1,500 per week, but to all our shock, a non-refundable payment of £3,000 was required for so called admin and set-up costs, as well as a refundable payment of £3,000 was required, so just to get into the place £7,500 was to be paid, my friend contacted head office in the UK to question the £3,000 non-refundable payment, only to be told in an off-hand manner that it is standard practice.

His reply went something like this: ‘well, not to me it isn’t’ and he took his wife back home.

It had also been pointed out to him that so called extras, like newspapers, Sky TV, hairdressing, dry cleaning and escorted outings, etc., would incur a charge.

So, it was back to the family home where another carer was engaged from the UK company and this arrangement happily continued until the lady in question recently passed away.

Having gone through such an unbelievably expensive experience, my friend is now actively contacting associations involved with the ageing population, as well as people in authority, to relate his story in the hope that something positive can come of it.

How on earth would or could the average man in the street cope? What help is there for us all in the future? Even if we had a house to sell, the money would soon run out at these terrible costs.

There really has to be official help here, we hear of millions being given away to foreign aid, and many more millions on what are not really important projects such as the refurbishment of Victoria Avenue, while the above situation continues and is escalating as more and more people need help.

I do hope that relating this recent story will at least get people thinking of their future and what will their situation be. It could be sooner than you think. If anyone would like to hear the details, or how to contact the UK care company, please contact me and I will be pleased to refer them to my friend who will be only too pleased to help and advise.