The local authority (LA) may give an interest-free loan for the cost of the care, by taking a charge on the property – however many LA’s do not have the funds to enable this facility – you need to ask about a “Deferred Loan” from your Aunt’s social worker. For many people the only option is to sell their property.

Your aunt should have been Section 47 assessed before leaving hospital, to assess her care needs and to ensure she could either manage going back home or needed to go into a care home. Her social worker and/or GP may be able to help with this. Do you have Power of Attorney? If not it really is only your Aunt that can request this information. The need for nursing care does not necessarily mean she would be eligible for continuing care (ie fully funded by the NHS), as this is only granted in extreme cases where medical conditions are severe and/or unstable. You can request an assessment from NHS via the care home, if you feel your Aunt may be eligible – the care home may be able to give you guidance whether they feel this would be the case.

If you Aunt still has capacity and there is no Lasting Power of Attorney in place, I would recommend setting this up, so that selected individuals can act on her behalf in the future – this can be for finances and health, as there are separate powers of appointment. Speak to her solicitor (or Solicitors for the Elderly members, is she does not have one). If she no longer has capacity, unfortunately the only redress is to apply to the Court of Protection, who will appoint a Deputy to act in your Aunt’s best interests.

There is growing reportage in the press however of people who have previously had to take such drastic action to fund their care, now reclaiming the cost incurred as they should’ve recieved funding due to their long-term health condition (of which Alzheimer’s is one).

If any costs have been incurred thus far in this particular case, you may be able to reclaim these using a reputable specialist in Healthcare funding.