Advice for my mum please re: attendance allowance

notlongnow_2

Hi, my mum has recently been turned down for attendance allowance. Basically, she is completely kn*cker*d!lol. My sister filled in the forms for her so may have missed things. She has appealed, but is it worth it? I mean, do they look more indepth or just review the first form?

Her list of ailments include...

One lung,
bronchitis,
bronchiexstasis,
Asthma,
type II diabetes
Neuromyalgia
Arthritis( not sure is oesteo or rhumatoid)
Oesteo....something to do with her bones but is not oesteoporosis.

Several hospital appointments a year with a recent 2 week stay in hospital for IV anti-biotics.

Told you she was kn*cker*d.

Her mobility is terrible, she can hardly get off the settee and it takes her several attempts. She cannot stand for long periods and can only go shopping for approx 20mins max, before she has to leave the shop and sit down.

She is in constant pain 24/7. She can do very basic cleaning(wiping sides, vacuuming one room) before she is shattered for the rest of the day.

Day trips or outings are out of the question due to her mibilty and chronic chest problems.

She is 65 and recently retired from a very basic sit down job.

She can cook basic meals for herself.

She makes one trip upstairs in her house a day which is at night time. She had a toilet and sink installed in the spare room. She has a downstairs bathroom.

She is now struggling with holding a full kettle or opening jars/bottles as she has no strength at all. Her shopping bags stay in the car until someone goes around to see her and help her ( very independant person who wont ask for help, we just have to 'drop by' with the intention of doing something for her whilst we are there)

I know no-one can say if she would be entitled, but from her symptoms is there anyone in a similar situation that has had a successful claim?

I have posted before about my mum in the past and was advised to apply...which we did, and were turned down so I dont think im repeating myself or ignoring previous advice as it was very gratefully received, but was just wondering what is now the next step.

Thanks for reading.

Mojisola

It's usually better to get an advisor to help with the forms. They know the questions to ask to see if you are entitled to AA. Unfortunately, mobility needs aren't part of AA so the claimant has to have care needs to be entitled.

Talk to an advisor.

[Deleted User]

contact welfare rights or cab for help with an appeal,bear in mind AA has no mobility element and that the care element is not for the illness but the care needs arising from it.

elsien

Have a look at this page from help the aged.

http://www.helptheaged.org.uk/en-gb/AdviceSupport/FinancialAdvice/HelpClaimingBenefits/AttendanceAllowance/as_attendance_130106_5.htm

I think a lot of these things depend on how they are worded as much as anything else, so I would strongly advise that you get help from CAB or Help the Aged with an appeal.
Remember it's not about the condition itself, it's about the impact it has on daily life and the help she needs with things.
http://www.helptheaged.org.uk/en-gb/AdviceSupport/FinancialAdvice/HelpClaimingBenefits/AttendanceAllowance/as_attendance_130106_3.htm

So if the original form mentioned her illnesses but didn't mention the relevant detail about where/how she needed help, that could be one reason it was rejected.

Any of these fit the bill?
'Bodily functions' are things such as eating, drinking, hearing, seeing, using the toilet, getting up, washing and dressing or taking medication. It also means walking and other physical activities that allow you to carry out a reasonable level of social, recreational or leisure activity. But it does not usually include general household tasks such as cooking, cleaning and shopping.

Oldernotwiser

Many of the things you mention are mobility issues which aren't covered by AA; neither is the ability to prepare food. As has been suggested, you need to see what your mother's care needs are regarding toiletting, washing etc before deciding whether an appeal is worthwhile.

kernowayr

My mother qualifies for AA (albeit at the lower rate) on basis of long-standing bi-polar disorder mainly although she does also have mobility issues after sustaining a fractured hip due to third party negligence now the subject of a P.I. claim and several other medical issues such as under active thyroid, dizzy spells, tablet & diet controlled diabetes as well.

My father also qualifies (at higher rate) on basis of symptoms of Parkinsons disease, which includes help getting up, washed/bathed, dressed, cooked meals by his carer, and general mobility in and out of doors.

I would suggest that you ask for the application to be reviewed asap and maybe see if Age Concern or somebody might assist you in some way with your negotiations with DWP/Social services, before giving up completely.

travelling1

To get AA you have to either have problems with personal care or mental health issues especially if they mean that a person needs supervision.
I would advise you like others to contact an agency to assist you in claiming for this and would always appeal if you have been turned down at the first application as most people tend to get it once they have appealed.
Whilst I am no means an expert at completing the forms I can give you advise that my Social Work colleagues have given me in the past. Always complete the form as if your Mum was having the worst day ever. Never admit that she has aids and adaptations as they assist her to complete the tasks but this does not mean that she is independent in doing them.
So far as your Mum's medical conditions state how she finds personal care difficult. Some examples that may be pertinant in regards to her medical conditions may be that:
It takes her a long time to perform the task and give an example of how long i.e. 1 1/2 hours.
She becomes breathless upon the slightest exertion.
She finds it difficult to reach her feet to put on pants, trousers, tights, due to being unable to bend as it causes shortness of breath.
She finds it difficult to wring out flannels due the Osteo arthritis in her hands.
She finds dressing difficult due to arthritic fingers and state which parts. Bra's are a real pain!
Any pain.

I would also advise that if she is in agreement, that you should contact the Occupational Therapists at Social Services and state that she is having difficulties getting off her chair...and therefore finds it very difficult to get to the toilet on time. This should make her referral urgent but also highlight all the other difficulties that she is having with kettles.

I would also advise contacting her GP to arrange a Physiotherapy referral as it sounds like she's lost her thigh muscle strength due to sitting more frequently due to her shortness of breath and needing extra rests. They should give advice on exercise and make plans to improve her mobility.

She also meets the guidelines for long term conditions and may be eligible for a Community Matron. A CM can monitor her conditions and break the hospital admission cycle. The CM will also be a contact person in the future if required. The GP can also advise on this. This is a relatively new service and should be available in all areas, but areas do differ from one place to another.

Hope this helps.