Is it fair that care homes charge after the death of a resident?

I don’t have any experience with care homes, but hospitals also need to be included.

My father-in-law died unexpectedly in hospital. The following day the hospital telephoned and told us that as we was dead, he was no longer in the NHS and if we didn’t move the body, they would charge us storage.

We were already in shock and could not believe their uncaring, insensitive attitude that added further distress at this very difficult time.

Mum has only been in her care home for just over 4 months but the contract states they charge up to 7 days after a death. It would take at least that long for me to remove her belongings so I think that’s probably about fair. Shame on any home that charges unfairly though. There should be rules in place to prevent that!

What seems to be lacking in the rebuttals to BH,s post , its called the HUMAN factor , I am afraid I am not the cold calculating sort but when MY mother had to be buried I !!! not any third party especially getting kick-backs has the right to decide this in law or in the deep emotion of a loved one in many “care”-home stories posted here . What do you think my mother was -a dog ! and yes they get better treatment in this country than old ill human beings . Many posters on this subject had loved ones who were very close to them and to think of their loved ones dead bodies as dumpster fodder is I am afraid lacking in any emotional content . This isn’t a convo on BSI Standards .

The CMA has actually suggested a cap on charges for three days after a resident’s death. That seems a little short to me, as it will inevitably lead care homes to put pressure on the next of kin to arrange for clearance of their relative’s possessions in an unreasonably short timescale, especially if they live a long way away. A few extra days care home charges does not seem unreasonable for relatives to meet – and it might already have been paid anyway depending on the terms.

I think the three-day period is designed primarily for local authorities who are funding the resident’s occupation of a home. I have no objection to that because it would be an unnecessary public expense to prolong the charge after the resident has died. The important thing is for these matters to be handled with compassion, respect and dignity, as well as with consideration for the other residents in a home who might also be grieving even if the management isn’t.

The typical image of care homes is not unlike bed-&-breakfast accommodation run by an energetic couple and a handful of staff struggling to make ends meet and provide a reasonable caring environment in the face of a barrage of rules and regulations. The other image is the municipal home where the chairs are all lined up and the overall atmosphere tends towards the impersonal.

I was surprised to read recently that Four Seasons Health Care runs 260 homes and HC-One has 351. Other very big providers are Bupa, Care UK, and Barchester Healthcare. Three of the ‘big five’ providers charge for a fortnight following the death of a resident while one charges for a week. The important thing is that homes should not be charging for two weeks and accepting a new resident into the same accommodation after one week or less. The CMA has expressed concern that firms charging for longer than three days might be receiving multiple payments for the same room. I hope their examination of the private care homes sector makes sure that does not happen. While economies of scale and the potential for higher professional standards are desirable results of having large organisations running care homes they must be careful not to let the tendencies of the big business culture affect the sensitive management of the establishments.

Has anybody read the full report on anti-psychotic drugs being supplied to many dementia patients in US care home “to keep them quiet ” ? This is even when its pain they are complaining about , it is usually in medicaid homes ( state helped ) 16 % of US care homes use them even against regulations . I have the full report by Human Rights Watch a USA organisation so I can go into detail if required . As you know those drugs applied to people who have Schizophrenia etc are life shortening drugs with many side effects which , in old frail people have already upped the death count there . I want an answer from those putting forward the case for “all is well ” in care homes in the UK — does or does it not happen here ? As I am criticized and told -facts-facts- facts – thats exactly what I want -no prevarication , no weasel words just the plain truth from a spokesperson – yes or no? If it is not provided then I take it as read it does happen here.