I’m being chased for £400 care bill
‘NURSE’ WANTS HER PAY
WHEN my wife died, her best friend said I shouldn’t worry about a thing.
She had my back. I wasn’t to fret about my health, the house or being alone because she’d always look after me.
Therefore you can imagine my shock when I recently received a bill from her for £400 to be paid within 28 days. Now I have her on the phone every day asking me when I’m going to pay up.
I’ve explained that I’m waiting for a savings bond to clear but am I obliged to pay at all?
My story started last year when the hospital told me that I needed an operation. I contemplated putting it off because I knew I’d be weak afterwards and didn’t have anyone to nurse me.
Flowers
Then my late wife’s friend stepped in and said that she’d do the honours. There was no mention of money then.
I duly had the op, and then returned to her house where she looked after me like a pro.
I was with her for four weeks in total. On the last day I presented her with a bunch of flowers and a “thank you” card and she seemed genuinely touched.
Just days later, however, my bill arrived. It was extremely itemised too, right down to the last cup of tea and biscuit. She’d even charged me for tissues.
On the one hand I’m grateful to her for supporting me, but my late wife would never have charged her a penny.
If anything I remember my wife giving her linen and towels when her ex-husband was out of work. How should I play this?
Obviously, I don’t wish to fall out with anyone, but I can’t be seen to be a pushover either.
JANE SAYS: Unfortunately, a lot of us hate discussing money. It’s seen as grubby and distasteful. In an ideal world, you and this lady would have ironed issue in advance.
She would have discussed her terms so that you both knew where you stood, but life is far from perfect.
Now you’re holding a £400 bill but you cannot allow your pride to get in the way.
In short, she’s asking for £100 a week for nursing, food and drink, which sounds like a pretty good deal to me.
Who else was going to help you through this time?
I admit that this has been clumsily handled, but what other options did you have?
You needed an operation out this and she stepped in to the necessary support.
I suggest you pay what you can and offer to pay the rest in instalments. Then thank her again.
If nothing else, you now know where you stand regarding her way of operating versus your needs.
Don’t be tempted to cut off contact because you may just require her help again.
It’s great that your late wife was once able to help her during a time of need, but you can’t hark back to historical acts of kindness because life moves on.