Nursing Home Insurance

What about insurance? It seems to be one question which few of us, if any, think of asking when the time comes to move an elderly relative or friend into a residential nursing home.

Do all agree? is it affordable? Will he or she (usually she) like the place and feel at home there? Can visitors reach it easily? What about his or her previous home? Which possessions can, and should go too? These are just some of the questions which must be familiar to those who have had the job of making this - possibly the last - move for someone who can no longer manage without constant care.

But do we ask about insurance? In my case I can only say - I did not. It wasn't until the £850 hearing aid vanished that I, who am supposed to know about insurance, gave it a thought. In general, the brochures are detailed and dwell on the many good reasons for choosing their particular care. You understand that they will take full responsibility but there is an application form to sign and somewhere on this piece of paper there is likely to be spelled out the fact that the home takes no responsibility for possessions.

When you do come to think about it, the fact that any insurance is hard to find is not surprising. Elderly people are forgetful and sometimes confused. No-one wants to lock their doors and, with the best will in the world, things will go astray. Locally (Edinburgh) I have only found Age Concern who can offer minimum contents insurance with additional premium for essential valuables such as teeth, spectacles and hearing aids, as well as jewellery, but each case is considered on its merits.

Residential homes for the elderly where residents do not require nursing and are fairly independent, can invite incoming residents to join their existing insurance scheme. Certainly Abbeyfield Homes in Scotland do this. A verbal indication that there is no such scheme for those entering nursing homes would be welcomed, or a mention in the brochure would not go amiss.

Nursing homes are a growth industry and many people must face, daily, the complicated business of making the transfer of someone important to them as good as it can be. Guidance and advice about personal possessions is one aspect of caring that needs further consideration.

Maeve Robertson - Member of the NfCG Legislation Committee.

Apple Appeal

At Charlton Orchards in Creech St. Michael, near Taunton, Somerset, Individual Member June Small and her husband grow 25 different kinds of apples and will be celebrating Apple Day on October 24th. They offer visitors the chance to sample some of their old and unusual varieties, have a walk round the orchards and participate in apple-based games. An unusual treat will be the opportunity to taste apple juices made from different varieties of apples.

There will be expert apple growers present, ready to discuss fruit growing plans and problems as well as an apple identification service. If you have an apple tree which you cannot identify, take some of the fruit along and see if the experts can tell you what it is.

They also grow pears, and they, as well as apples will be on sale together with honey and beeswax candles. Bees, of course, are essential for successful fruit growing. Charlton Orchards can be found off the A361 Glastonbury road, two miles out of Taunton, or off the A358 Ilminster road through the village and is well signposted. For navigators it can be reached along the Taunton - Bridgewater canal!

"Dear Sir.."

From Terence Kelly, a freelance journalist and broadcaster, writing to NfCG Hon. Secretary, Stella Walsh:

The Sunday Times in July said your organisation identified travel agents as the main offenders when it comes to surcharging credit card users. It said agents added up to 3% to the bill of those who use plastic. I suggest you will find even higher percentage charges if you look at other varieties of ticket sellers. (jet a copy of "'lime Out" or any other publication which advertises pop concerts or other musical events. Honest advertisers will say, in advance, that there is a credit card surcharge. Others will try to push it past the unwary ticket buyer. -

I recently phoned the Royal Festival HaIl Box Office to book a seat for the Chelsea Opera Group's performance of Caterina Corano on June 28th. As I finished ordering an £18 ticket the man in the Box Office said that the charge would be £19 and put the phone down! When I called to collect the ticket I saw the Box Office manageress who said the RFH had adopted the practice of adding a pound as it was how the Barbican Box Office dealt with credit card bookings. Btit she refunded my pound. I mentioned all this to the Chelsea Opera Group officials who said they were unaware of the practice, though the manageress claimed they had been told.

The Chelsea Opera people said that they thought the RFH box office was already paid a commission for selling tickets, as, no doubt, are the Box Offices you will see mentioned in "Time Out" and similar publications. A £1 pound surcharge on £18 is 5.5%!

I wonder whether it really costs ticket sellers any more to sell to card users? They will be paid more slowly and have to pay a small fee to the card company, but they will be less exposed to robbery since they will carry less cash, and to internal fraud. Also, telephone bookings are made easier, so more business is clone. Surely it also negates the value of the credit charge if use of it entails a surcharge. It is no longer as good as cash.

Editor's note - Tyneside Consumer Group has commented about the Box Office at Newcastle Arena which frequently made charges over and above the ticket price for non cash bookings. Following pressure from the Group the extra charge is now made clear to intended purchasers.

This letters page is for you to make use of, to ask questions, relate victories and even ask for help. Our readership encompasses a wide range of experience in consumer affairs and there should be someone out there who can offer advice.

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