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Forced Out of Retirement at 83

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Forced Out of Retirement

Most people believe the NHS will look after them in old age. Most people believe their home is safe. Most people believe their children will inherit the family house they worked so hard to pay off.

But last year, more people in the UK lost their homes to care fees than to repossession, eviction, or debt combined — and almost all of them had no idea it could happen.

Richard was one of them.

Richard’s Story: “This was my home… why can’t I live here?”

Richard lived with his partner Julie for 23 years in the two‑bedroom home she had owned for 45 years. It was their life together — their memories, their comfort, their future.

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But when Julie developed dementia and needed full‑time care, everything changed.

Her care home near Birmingham costs £2,300 per week. And like most people, Richard assumed dementia care was funded by the NHS.

It isn’t.

The council counted it as an asset. To recover the cost of her care, they forcibly sold the property.

Richard lost the woman he loved to dementia… and he lost his home in the same breath.

He still asks the same heartbreaking question:

“This was my home… why can’t I live here?”

The Shock Most Families Never See Coming

Here’s the truth the government rarely talks about:

  • Dementia care is means‑tested, not NHS‑funded

  • Councils can legally force the sale of your home

  • It doesn’t matter if a partner or adult child still lives there

  • If you haven’t protected your home, it can be taken

Last year, UK councils sold over 70,000 homes to pay for care fees.

Meanwhile, people who never bought a home — and have no savings — receive the same care for free.

It’s a system that punishes homeowners for doing the right thing.

Forced Back to Work at 83

After the council sold the home, Richard had nowhere to go. His pension was just high enough to disqualify him from council housing support… but nowhere near enough to cover private rent, bills, and food.

So at 83 years old, instead of enjoying retirement, he has been forced back into work simply to survive.

This is happening to thousands of people every year — and almost all of it is preventable.

If You Own a Home, Your Family Is at Risk

Richard has no children, but he worries deeply about those who do.

Because if your home is taken to pay for care:

  • Your children may inherit nothing

  • Your partner may be left homeless

  • Your family may lose the one asset you worked your entire life to build

Most people don’t realise this until it’s too late.

They assume the NHS covers elderly care. They assume the council will help. They assume their home is protected.

But unless you take simple estate planning steps, your home is vulnerable.

This Can Happen to Anyone — Unless You Protect Your Home

The tragedy is that Richard’s situation could have been avoided.

There are legitimate estate planning options that can:

  • Protect your home from being used to pay for care

  • Ensure your partner can stay in the property

  • Secure the family home for your children

  • Prevent the council from forcing a sale

But these protections must be in place before care is needed.

Once the council steps in, it’s too late.

If You’re Over 60 in the UK, Get a Free Estate Planning Review

If you’re a homeowner over 60, you owe it to yourself — and your family — to understand your options.

A free estate planning review will show you:

  • How to legally protect your home

  • How to prevent forced sale for care fees

  • How to ensure your children inherit the family home

  • How to avoid the mistakes that cost Richard everything

Request your free estate planning review here