98-Year-Old Widow Evicted from Care Home After Spending £240,000 on Care Fees

A 98-year-old widow, Brenda Miles, has been forced to leave the care home she called home for five years — after spending her entire £240,000 life savings on care fees.

Brenda, a retired bookbinder from Bridgnorth, Shropshire, moved into Innage Grange Care Home in 2020 after the death of her husband, Gordon. Having worked and saved her entire life, the sale of their modest two-bedroom bungalow, combined with her savings, gave her what she believed would be enough to cover her care for the rest of her life.

But like thousands of elderly people across the UK, Brenda’s savings were swallowed up by care bills, costing around £4,000 per month — nearly £48,000 a year.

Despite spending a lifetime contributing to the system, when her savings finally dropped below the £23,000 threshold — the level where local authorities are supposed to step in — Brenda was told she would have to move.

Torn Away from the Home She Loved

Brenda, who has dementia and mobility issues, adored the staff and residents at Innage Grange. She had celebrated her 98th birthday there just weeks earlier.

But after her money ran out, Shropshire Council refused to fund her place, insisting the fees were too high and that she would have to move to a cheaper home.

Her niece, Victoria Fellows, said the family begged the council to let her stay, explaining how devastating a move would be for someone of her age and condition — but their request was refused.

On October 31, Brenda was moved by taxi to another care home, Hilton Brook House, where the council had found a cheaper room. Victoria described the move as “heartbreaking”, saying her aunt asked, “Where are all my friends?” when she arrived.

“They gave us two days’ notice,” Victoria said.
“She’d lived there for five years, loved the staff, and was completely settled. To uproot a 98-year-old woman like that is cruel. She still has her pictures hanging on the wall back in her old room.”

The Human Cost of the Care System

Brenda’s case is not unique. Across England, thousands of elderly people are being forced to sell their homes and spend their life savings on care — often losing everything before any state support begins.

Families who have worked hard and saved responsibly are finding themselves penalised by a system that leaves homeowners paying the full cost of care, while others receive full funding.

For those living with conditions such as dementia, which the NHS does not class as a medical need, the financial impact can be catastrophic.

Victoria, who lives on the Isle of Wight, said:

“My aunt isn’t asking for luxury — she just wants stability and dignity in her final years. It’s shocking that after nearly a century of hard work and paying taxes, she’s being treated like this.”

Despite the family contacting their local MP for help, the council has refused to review the decision or comment on Brenda’s case.

Could This Be Prevented?

Sadly, stories like Brenda’s are becoming increasingly common. Many elderly homeowners assume their care will be covered later in life, only to discover that social care in England is means-tested — and property counts towards your assets.

Once savings drop below £23,250, the local council may help fund care — but only up to its own standard rate. If your preferred care home costs more, you or your family must pay the difference.

However, with the right estate planning, it is possible to protect part or all of your home and savings from being used to pay for long-term care. Legal tools such as Trusts can ring-fence assets so they are passed to loved ones, rather than lost to care fees.

Learn How to Protect Your Home from Care Fees

No one should have to go through what Brenda has experienced.
If you’d like to understand your options and find out how to protect your estate from being taken to cover care costs, we can help.