Budget - tougher for DLA claimants

Oldernotwiser

Trialia wrote: »

But karatedragon, if you were in my position or SH's, would you want some stranger coming in every day to help you get out of bed and get dressed? Of course you wouldn't.[/QUOTE

I'm pretty sure that if I was in this situation I'd rather this care was given by a professional rather than a friend or relative.

Indie_Kid

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Of course not all care costs involve paying a carer! Why not just provide the things you mention direct, using the power of bulk buying to bring costs down?

Some people can only use certain types.

Indie_Kid

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

I'm pretty sure that if I was in this situation I'd rather this care was given by a professional rather than a friend or relative.

I'd rather it was given by a friend or relative; as they know me better.

[Deleted User]

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Of course not all care costs involve paying a carer! Why not just provide the things you mention direct, using the power of bulk buying to bring costs down?

Because if these things were to be provided by the social services department then laws would have to be rewritten (again) to allow for more comprehensive assessments for a wider group of people. Only a tiny amount of disabled people get assessments under the current arrangements.

Which in turn would require more funding to local authorities for more social workers and more funds to provide the equipment or contracts to providers. Given the cuts in public services and soon to be redundancies it aint going to happen!

Oldernotwiser

sh1305 wrote: »

Some people can only use certain types.

Then presumably these would be the types that would be provided!

Oldernotwiser

sh1305 wrote: »

I'd rather it was given by a friend or relative; as they know me better.

Would you really rather your sister or your best friend helped you wipe your bottom - I'm pretty sure I wouldn't!

Indie_Kid

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Then presumably these would be the types that would be provided!

It won't bring the cost down if you have several people who all need different types.

[Deleted User]

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

I'm pretty sure that if I was in this situation I'd rather this care was given by a professional rather than a friend or relative.

I would agree with you on this. Not something I would want a friend to do or have a relative feel they had to.
But, you say professional not many of them are. Home carers are mostly unskilled, low paid, not provided with training and the skivvy of public services wther directly employed or contracted. It's not like it would be nurses coming in to do the work who are trained to a high standard and registered.

Oldernotwiser

_shel wrote: »

I would agree with you on this. Not something I would want a friend to do or have a relative feel they had to.
But, you say professional not many of them are. Home carers are mostly unskilled, low paid, not provided with training and the skivvy of public services wther directly employed or contracted. It's not like it would be nurses coming in to do the work who are trained to a high standard and registered.

I suppose I meant "professional" in terms of people who provide a service for money rather than out of love or loyalty.

daska

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

And even better if these additional costs were paid direct, rather than handing over cash to the claimant. That would go some way to discouraging fakers.

That was suggested quite recently about Attendance Allowance and was widely believed to signal a similar decision about DLA. Thankfully not everyone thinks the way you do.