Murray Beith Murray LLP is a leading Scottish private client law firm.
For 175 years we have specialised in meeting the legal, financial and administrative needs of individuals and families, family trusts, charities and private companies.
When you grow old, you will usually want to see out your days in your own home with your faculties still intact. Regrettably, some older people will spend their last days as a resident in a care home. In fact, in Scotland, as of 31 March 2022 (the latest release of these statistics), there were 30,552 older people who were residents in care homes for adults.
Hourglass, the UK charity dedicated to safer ageing, recently warned that coronavirus isolation could lead to an increase in the abuse and neglect of older adults by intensifying existing tensions and removing protections, such as regular contact with people outside of their household or immediate family. Even before the virus hit Scotland, the charity’s data revealed that tolerance of abuse of over-65s was already at a worrying level within the population.
While retirement can be an exciting time, with the opportunity to make travel plans and enjoy life without the stress of work, it is important to consider how residential care fees might impact on your estate in later life.
Attracting news headlines is the recent English case of an 81 year old woman who suffered a catastrophic stroke and was kept alive via a feeding tube.
If you are in retirement, you will probably have given a passing thought to the possibility that, one day, you may require residential care. You might even have spoken to a professional advisor, whilst updating your will, or planning your future finances.
