Operated by HSE (Health Service Executive), a lot of controversies surround Fair Deal, a scheme devised to help out elderly patients in dealing with escalating nursing home costs. While some criticise and question its fairness, others contemplate the long-term benefits of it. No matter who you are among them, we are sure you have a lot of questions in mind. And the blog here addresses them all. So, if you are planning to apply for this scheme on behalf of any of your loved ones, this write-up is for you.
Facts About the Nursing Home Support Scheme (NHSS)
There are a lot of things unknown to you, a reason why misconceptions breed and rob your loved ones of the elderly care that they truly deserve. Therefore, it’s vital to enlighten yourself about the Fair Deal Scheme and optimise it to gain the greatest benefits. Here are some things to clear out.
- An Improvement over the Subvention Scheme
Unlike the Subvention Scheme, which covered only the expenses of private nursing home care, Fair Deal includes both public and private nursing home care under its umbrella concept. Such a major inclusion, executed by HSE, along with State paying the difference between contribution and cost to care certainly makes it an attractive scheme for the elderly.
- Certain Conditions Govern it
Much like other schemes, this too entails certain eligibility criteria, two of which is to be a resident of the State and an assessment ascertaining the urgent need for long-term nursing home care. You can apply for the Nursing Home Support Scheme only if both the boxes tick.
- A 3-Step Procedure for Support
Apart from the conditions mentioned above, NHSS requires you to complete two assessments - care needs and financial. While the prior tests whether the applicant actually necessitates long-term nursing home care, the latter calculates the contribution for cost of care. There’s another step in the name of Nursing Home Loan, where HSE pays the amount on behalf of the applicant and allows the person to repay it over the years. On covering all three steps, support from the State ensues.
- NHSS has Fixed an Upper Limit on Eligible Incomes
Though there are not many limits imposed on an applicant, a threshold on eligible income entails. Keep in mind that you might not stand eligible for financial support from the State if your income exceeds the cost of care.
- Transfer or Sale of Property is Acceptable under the Scheme
Since the financial assessment is based on income and assets, a common myth surrounds the sale of properties. Applicants suffer from the misconception that transfer of property is restricted under the scheme but the same hardly holds true. The crux of the Nursing Home Loan is to repay it within six months of transfer or sale. Failing to do so might mean suffering from the burden of interest charges, starting from the date of transfer or sale.
- A Care Representative can Act on Behalf of an Elderly with Diminished Mental Capacity
The person can be the applicant’s spouse or child whose age is 18 or above. However, the aid of such a care representative, who belongs to one’s family is applicable only on stage 1 and 2. However, for the third stage, only a court-appointed representative should act on the applicant’s behalf. As for evidence of diminished mental capacity, reports from two different medical practitioners should prove so.
- Nursing Home Care only Covers Certain Expenses
The HSE agrees to cover costs for bed and board, laundry services and a few of those therapeutic activities along with aids and appliances to assist with regular activities. The rest of the costs can easily be tackled through a medical card, which most of the patients carry along with them.
Final Thoughts:
The cited facts are just a few of your queries resolved. Fair Deal is a massive concept, which takes time to understand. The application process both confuses beginners and makes them feel stressed out. Therefore, an advisory service from a professional is necessary. You can always seek it from Fair Deal Advice to receive quick grants without delay.
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