lapin_windstar

...but the whole point is that free (at the point of use) residential care for the elderly is rationed. There is not enough to go around because people don't want to pay tax to fund it or sacrifice anything else (except in Scotland, where the compromise has been made). The fairest way to ration it is by means testing.

JAJ

Perhaps the Scottish authorities have chosen to spend a little more on patient care as opposed to the money wasted in the England and Wales NHS on consultants and IT "schemes"?

Or perhaps the "free care" is of dubious quality, compared at least to some of the better private nursing homes?

Or both.

I find it hard to understand a sense of entitlement that encourages people to expect that taxpayers will pay for long term care just so that they can have a financial inheritance. Adult children of those who need nursing care will never be pursued for the costs, but demanding an inheritance while expecting the community at large to fund nursing care appears inherently unreasonable.

NedKelly

It is simply because there are people getting exactly the same care for free and they have never done a days work in their life. The sense of entitlement comes from the fact that others get it so why shouldn't they.

JAJ

Exactly the same care? Stated with great confidence, but usually something provided for "free" isn't all that great compared to what's paid for.

And those who do get "free" care aren't going to be leaving any inheritance behind.

NedKelly

They have already spent it on holidays, fags & booze!

JAJ

And if people choose to do that, they will get only what the state chooses to give them and nothing more. That can mean state homes which as you said: "We looked at some state ones but they were dreadful."