Help with DLA night time care needs

pipkin71

krisskross wrote: »

Probably not confidence, reassurance would be a better word. My husband is a very early riser too, he is always up at 4am. Pain normally wakes him. He just gets a slice of bread and a banana for himself so he can take some painkillers.

The careline scheme also keeps details of your medication, GP, next of kin etc so will contact someone in case of emergency.

There is also a keysafe thing that they do where you can have a sort of little code operated safe accessible from outside so a house key would be available if needed.

I note my MSE stalker continues to leap on anything I post:rotfl:

It's often pain that stops me sleeping and gets me up at an early hour too.

I have to make sure medication and drinks are left to hand so that, once I'm up, I can take them and wait for them to kick in.

The careline scheme / keysafe are definitely great ideas for those living alone.

TOBRUK

pipkin71 wrote: »

Time questions are difficult, so personally I would write that such and such is an approximation because I cannot give a definite answer.

The extra money means someone is able to buy aids that will help, or employ someone to help with their needs, ect.

I've come across it before where DLA has been referred to as compensation for disabilities. I suppose it would depend on what people were using their money for, but I don't see it as a compensation. I don't know what others feel about that.

I agree with you pipkin71, the time questions are difficult, but I would suggest that it is the same for everyone - even a carer has to give an approximation of time as no one time is going to be exact.

I don't see DLA as compensation for a disability or illness. I also agree with you on how the extra money helps, with buying aids or paying someone for help. It is there to help make life easier.

I do see where krisskross is coming from with not understanding why someone would receive the care component if they weren't actually receiving the help.

Krisskross, when asking what difference does the extra money make and how does it help - the thing is, how does it help those who actually get the help? If someone has a live in carer e.g. a spouse then maybe they should receive less DLA than someone who lives alone? Just a thought.

TOBRUK

krisskross wrote: »

I know a 94 year who gets high rate AA. She is blind, quite frail, lives alone and values her bit of independence.

She uses her AA money to pay someone to come in morning and evening to help her wash, change clothing etc. She also has a young woman for an hour or so a week a week to do her cleaning. Plus she has meals on wheels 5 days a week and also pays the £10 a month for the careline. So to me the extra cash she gets is definitely used for the intended purpose.

I am sure she has to find extra money on top of the AA but she is happy that her extra needs are recognised and that she gets some funding to help.

I agree with you krisskross, I too use the money to what it's intended - for help I need, the cleaning, changing the bed, taking the bin out, meals my sister cooks and brings me every week, being here for me to have a shower helping with dressing, do any shopping, take me to the hospital etc etc.

I don't like asking or receiving help as I've always been independent, but things happen and needs must - choice is taken away.

krisskross

TOBRUK wrote: »

I agree with you pipkin71, the time questions are difficult, but I would suggest that it is the same for everyone - even a carer has to give an approximation of time as no one time is going to be exact.

I don't see DLA as compensation for a disability or illness. I also agree with you on how the extra money helps, with buying aids or paying someone for help. It is there to help make life easier.

I do see where krisskross is coming from with not understanding why someone would receive the care component if they weren't actually receiving the help.

Krisskross, when asking what difference does the extra money make and how does it help - the thing is, how does it help those who actually get the help? If someone has a live in carer e.g. a spouse then maybe they should receive less DLA than someone who lives alone? Just a thought.

Yes I agree completely if the money is used to buy aids or pay someone to provide the help. However if the extra money is simply seen as extra because one is unfortunate enough to have a problem then it does appear to be some sort of compensation payment doesn't it?

The facts are that all DLA payments are tax payer funded and the government is surely charged with getting best value for money paid out. If millions of £s a year are being paid yet making no discernible improvement to anyones situation as far as receiving care is concerned. then it does need looking at.

My husband receives high rate AA and I have to say that I have my guilty moments about this bearing in mind that I provide all the care he needs with no additional financial cost.

If he were to receive the payments and still not get the care then I would consider the allowance somehow claimed under false pretences, if that makes any sense at all. I think that at some point the money paid to the claimant will need to be accounted for.

Indie_Kid

krisskross wrote: »

I have never understood how it is possible to get a high rate DLA/AA award when a person lives alone and presumably never gets the night time care needs fulfilled. They ask how long it takes on average each night for the care to be given. How do you answer this if there is no actual care? Surely if you do it yourself, even with difficulty then that care need doesn't exist?

The care just has to be reasonable. I need help going toilet at night. The last time I did that, I just about managed. However (TMI - sorry!) I didn't wipe my bum properly.

To go toilet, I need to go out of my room, into the hallway and then into the toilet. The only way to do this without walking into anything, is to turn the lights on. However, turning the lights on makes me extremely dizzy. Having someone with me, means they can help me go toilet.

Because I can't get that help, (parents work nights) I can't go toilet or can, but it takes about half an hour to do so.

I also need supervision to make sure I don't hurt myself.

When I lived in halls, (a friend will testify that this is true) I would run away a lot or hurt myself. Having supervision acted as a distraction. Once or twice, I ran away and was talked into going to his - this meant I wasn't harming myself and he was able to keep an eye on me.

krisskross

sh1305 wrote: »

The care just has to be reasonable. I need help going toilet at night. The last time I did that, I just about managed. However (TMI - sorry!) I didn't wipe my bum properly.

To go toilet, I need to go out of my room, into the hallway and then into the toilet. The only way to do this without walking into anything, is to turn the lights on. However, turning the lights on makes me extremely dizzy. Having someone with me, means they can help me go toilet.

Because I can't get that help, (parents work nights) I can't go toilet or can, but it takes about half an hour to do so.

I also need supervision to make sure I don't hurt myself.

When I lived in halls, (a friend will testify that this is true) I would run away a lot or hurt myself. Having supervision acted as a distraction. Once or twice, I ran away and was talked into going to his - this meant I wasn't harming myself and he was able to keep an eye on me.

So what difference will extra money make to any of this? What about a commode in your room if it is that much of a problem.

Neither my husband or myself ever turn the lights on when we get up to go to the bathroom. We have a little plug in nightlight in the hallway and we know the way from the bedroom to the bathroom blindfolded (excuse the analogy!)

TOBRUK

krisskross wrote: »

Yes I agree completely if the money is used to buy aids or pay someone to provide the help. However if the extra money is simply seen as extra because one is unfortunate enough to have a problem then it does appear to be some sort of compensation payment doesn't it?

The facts are that all DLA payments are tax payer funded and the government is surely charged with getting best value for money paid out. If millions of £s a year are being paid yet making no discernible improvement to anyones situation as far as receiving care is concerned. then it does need looking at.

My husband receives high rate AA and I have to say that I have my guilty moments about this bearing in mind that I provide all the care he needs with no additional financial cost.

If he were to receive the payments and still not get the care then I would consider the allowance somehow claimed under false pretences, if that makes any sense at all.

I don't feel that I am getting payment under false pretences krisskross - your husband is getting the care AND the money. He is receiving the high rate of AA AND your care, if he was younger he would be getting DLA. Look at it this way, the fact that he is having your care perhaps he shouldn't be having payment (AA) ... as he is getting payment AND care.

I suppose we just have to agree to disagree on this.

However if the extra money is simply seen as extra because one is unfortunate enough to have a problem then it does appear to be some sort of compensation payment doesn't it?

Why should I see the extra money as compensation because I am unfortunate (strange way of putting it) to have a problem?

I worked hard for 22 years, even when I was at University. Sometimes more than one job, even cleaning toilets (with a degree!), being a traffic warden, catering assistant and many other jobs - I wasn't fussy. I was always in employment. In the 80's with the high unemployment I moved area to get employment.

Having an accident and getting paralysis, being involved in a hit and run, having an illness, having a tumour, etc isn't unfortunate ... it's what happened and was unavoidable - I don't see that it was my fault.

I don't feel that anyone owes me, I don't like the fact that I have to accept benefit ... I hate it.

krisskross

TOBRUK wrote: »

I don't feel that I am getting payment under false pretences krisskross - your husband is getting the care AND the money. He is receiving the high rate of AA AND your care, if he was younger he would be getting DLA. Look at it this way, the fact that he is having your care perhaps he shouldn't be having payment (AA) ... as he is getting payment AND care.

This is exactly why I feel guilty..because he receives the care he needs, but freely, lovingly given. So if I feel he perhaps shouldn't get the money because he has no need to pay for the care he receives then should someone get the money who doesn't even get the care? How can you have a real need for the care if you manage without it?

You see my husband simply could not survive without the care I give and would have to presumably pay to put something in place to replace me if I were not here.

pipkin71

krisskross wrote: »

So what difference will extra money make to any of this? What about a commode in your room if it is that much of a problem.

I've suggested to sh before now, that they contact adult social services. Perhaps, now she is at her parents, she may find it useful.

I was provided with a commode as using the stairs in the night can cause accidents.

The night light idea is a good one too, and we have those, given my risks on the stairs, when I do use them.

Indie_Kid

krisskross wrote: »

So what difference will extra money make to any of this? What about a commode in your room if it is that much of a problem.

Neither my husband or myself ever turn the lights on when we get up to go to the bathroom. We have a little plug in nightlight in the hallway and we know the way from the bedroom to the bathroom blindfolded (excuse the analogy!)

I have the smallest room in the house. There is no room for me to have a commode. Also, how will I wash my hands? And does it really solve the issue of me not being able to wipe myself? of course it doesn't.

I've come across it before where DLA has been referred to as compensation for disabilities.

I know people who see it as this, spend it on whatever they want (nights out, games consoles, etc) and whinge they have too much money. Well, no-one forces you to claim DLA, do they?

It would be better to reduce some people's amounts than to completely take away others.

How? I get £151.60 every 4 weeks. £100 of that, I don't see at all. Last week, I spent around £30 on disability related equipment. Somehow, I have £21.60 left for disability related stuff for the next 3 weeks. Out of that, I need to buy coloured paper at at least £10 a ream (500 sheets) - that leaves me with £11.60 to last me 3 weeks. During those 3 weeks, I may have to buy more things.