Care homes that charge for a month after loved one dies

CARE homes may be breaking the law by failing to tell families they will have to pay their loved one’s fees for a month after they die, campaigners say.

Fewer than one in ten homes contacted by Which? on the premise of looking for care for an elderly relative were happy to send over contracts.

The consumer watchdog said there was a danger that firms were breaking the law by neglecting to tell residents about important terms and conditions.

Of the contracts that Which? investigators were sent, three included terms that could be considered unfair to residents.

Among these were charging fees for a month after death and the right to terminate a contract with 24 hours’ notice for undefined ‘detrimental behaviour’.

Which? also received reports from more than 500 members of

‘Devastating consequences’

the public about their experiences with care home contracts. One family said they were hit with a tripling of fees because their relative had dementia – and the manager claimed the rise was covered in their contract.

Alex Hayman, of Which?, said: ‘It’s unacceptable that care homes are making it difficult for people to get hold of contracts and the terms and conditions they are signing up to when making an important life decision.

‘Far too many care home residents are hit with unexpected fees or contract terms, which can have far-reaching and devastating consequences for vulnerable people and their families.’

Which? contacted 50 homes for its study, but only four provided the information.

One relative told the watchdog: ‘They charged for the room at full rates for 30 days after someone dies. I previously asked about any exit/vacation charges and had been told “No”.’