Know Your Rights Under Fair Deal Scheme

 

The Fair Deal Scheme in Ireland has saved many Irish citizens by being their payment support when availing of nursing home care, but does that imply you have no right over it? Are the terms and conditions so closed-ended? Thankfully, it’s not how many envisage it from the outset. Today, we shall look into it from the perspective of an applicant.

What Are Your Rights Under Nursing Home Support Scheme?

Let’s list them down one by one for better clarity so that you can question wrongdoings straightaway if anything unfair happens.

• Choosing nursing home

So, the first and foremost right every applicant enjoys is the right to decide among private, public and voluntary nursing homes. However, two conditions must be met, and those have been laid keeping the best interest of applicants in mind:

1. The nursing home must have a vacant place to accommodate a patient seeking long-term nursing home care
2. The nursing home must have adequate facilities to cover your needs.

When researching the best nursing home in your locality, you can visit it. Make sure you book an appointment beforehand. If the one you choose has a long waiting list, you have every right to temporarily switch to another healthcare facility and later shift back when there’s a place available. The scheme values the preferences and personal values of applicants.

• Apply for a Nursing Home Loan Scheme

According to the Nursing Home’s Support Scheme guide, applicants who are cash poor but asset rich can delay paying of Nursing Home Support Scheme cost of care at a later date by using their assets to secure the loan. There is no hard and fast rule on repaying it during one’s lifetime. Upon death, the HSE collects it from the value of land, house or property. Partners living in that home after the applicant’s death can further defer the payment by applying for it.

Now, these are rights, which applicants can easily figure out though a little guidance proves beneficial. However, if you think carefully, you will understand that the Fair Deal Scheme is in itself a choice. The State can never compel you to apply for it unless you wish for it.

Closing Thoughts:

From the discussion, it’s evident that the scheme is not over-imposing. There are areas where applicants have a say. It’s very much open-ended, and a reason why it’s so popular among the Irish elderly citizens. Don’t forget to seek the independent advice of Fair Deal advisors for the process to be a cakewalk!