Elderly in ‘free care’ being hit by hidden fees

THOUSANDS of families are being charged expensive ‘top-ups’ for their elderly relative’s care home – despite qualifying to have costs fully paid by the local council.

Age UK found a quarter told care would be free are having to pay stealth charges that can run into thousands of pounds. It said 48,400 residents are paying the fees, which can exceed £100 a week.

They are often told of the ‘top-up’ weeks after moving in, with families advised by the council that they must pay or move out. In some cases, hospital discharges are being delayed by demands for top-ups that families cannot afford.

Age UK’s Caroline Abrahams said the charges were ‘increasingly a form of stealth tax on families, unfairly exploiting their desire to do right by their loved ones’.

The law says ‘top-ups’ should be voluntary and for extras such as a nicer room. It makes it clear older people have a right to at least one residential place that is affordable within funding the council has allocated – without the need for top-ups. But Age UK said there is often no local place available that the council is able to fund.