Dad Was 94 – And They Still Took His Home: Family Shocked by £208,000 Dementia Care Bill in Nottinghamshire

When Robert Hill, 94, from Nottinghamshire, was diagnosed with dementia, his daughter thought the NHS would help.

Instead, the family was told that because Robert owned a home, he’d have to pay for every penny of his care,

He was moved into a local care home in 2021.
The cost? £1,330 per week, every week, for three years.
In total, his care ended up costing the family £208,000.

They Took the Only Thing He Had Left

Robert had worked all his life, paid his taxes, and lived in his home for over 40 years. He’d hoped to leave it to his grandchildren. Instead, the council forced a sale.

“He was in his nineties, confused, barely able to understand what was going on. And we were being asked how we were going to pay.”

His daughter, Linda, said the system “feels like a punishment for working hard.”

It Could Have Been Avoided

Robert’s house was fully owned, but it had never been protected. Linda says she’d looked into estate planning years earlier and mentioned it to her father.

“I’d spoken to an estate planner and protected my own home. But Dad thought he was too old to bother.”

That decision cost the family everything.

What You Need to Know

Dementia care in Nottinghamshire can cost over £1,300 per week
If you have more than £23,250 in savings or property, you must pay yourself
Your home can be taken and sold unless it’s protected in advance

Most people don’t speak to estate planners because they charge £200–£280 per hour — but Later Living Helpline has contacted trusted professionals across the UK, and many have agreed to offer free appointments to help raise awareness and prevent more families from facing this.

If you’re over 60 and live in Nottinghamshire, take advantage of this free estate planning advice while you still can.