Residents face staggering fee increases, prompting concerns over elder care affordability.
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Significant fee increases shock families
In a distressing turn of events, families in Aberdeenshire are grappling with alarming increases in care home fees, with some residents facing hikes of up to 80%. Ian Matthews, whose 84-year-old cousin, Winnifred Russell, resides at Edenholme Care Home in Stonehaven, expressed his disbelief upon receiving notification of the fee increase from Aberdeenshire Health and Social Care Partnership (AHSCP).
Currently paying £3,500 per month, Mrs. Russell’s fees are set to soar to £6,300 starting April 1, a change Matthews describes as “obscene.”
Financial implications for families
The staggering increase has left families questioning the sustainability of care for their loved ones.
Matthews, who serves as Mrs. Russell’s power of attorney, highlighted that the elderly woman does not require additional medical care, yet her fees are being raised without any corresponding increase in services. “It’s just mindboggling,” he remarked, emphasizing the emotional toll such financial burdens can take on families. With the new costs, Matthews fears that Mrs. Russell’s savings will only last a couple of years before government intervention becomes necessary.
Wider concerns about elder care costs
Mike Forsyth, another concerned family member, echoed these sentiments regarding his mother’s care at Bennachie View Care Home in Inverurie. Following the controversial closure of Westbank Care Home, Forsyth’s mother faced a fee increase from £1,098 to £1,580 per week. He described the notification of the increase as “quite alarming,” especially given the short notice provided. Forsyth criticized the situation as blatant price gouging, noting that his mother had already been forced to sell her home to cover care costs. “They’re just taking the money away,” he lamented, highlighting the dire financial implications for families.
Official response to fee adjustments
In response to the growing outcry, a spokeswoman for AHSCP explained that the recent fee adjustments were necessary to align costs with the actual expenses of providing care services. “For a number of years, the cost of a place at one of our in-house care homes was not calculated based on the actual cost of that place,” she stated. The new charging policy, approved by Aberdeenshire Council, aims to ensure that residents contribute to the full cost of their care, although many residents only pay what they can afford. The spokeswoman assured that financial assessments are conducted for all residents to determine their contributions, allowing for adjustments as needed.
Community reaction and future implications
The community’s reaction to these fee increases has been one of outrage and concern. Many families are left wondering how they will manage the escalating costs of care for their elderly relatives. As the financial strain on families continues to grow, the question remains: how can local authorities balance the need for sustainable care services with the financial realities faced by families? The situation in Aberdeenshire serves as a stark reminder of the challenges surrounding elder care and the urgent need for solutions that protect both residents and their families.
