Attendance Allowance advice.

margaretclare

bigmondy wrote: »

Thanks guys. I will send it off - there was a good letter from the Consultant about the Crohns so I will include that in the application.

Yes margaretclare - all these issues are on the form - and re the crohns that is what I had gleaned - laundry issues and not being able to go anywhere that meant she didnt have immediate access to a convenience. I wasnt sure if that would be a significant factor in whether or not they got the AA awarded though. Putting the 2 conditions together though - oh dear - I also feel sorry for the old-boy - he has quite a job and his missus perhaps doesnt recognise it.

Put down absolutely everything. It's about 'quality of life', the current buzz-word in the NHS. Even a disabled person is allowed to have a life i.e. go somewhere, to church, to bingo, to a pensioner's outing, whatever turns you on. As for laundry, can she do laundry herself, hang it out on the line etc? If not, these are the kinds of things AA is meant for - pay for someone to come and do your laundry! And that may be the reason why she isn't allowed on public transport.

Enclose a copy of the consultant's letter. Nowadays people get sent a copy of any correspondence from the consultant to the GP - copy and enclose.

It's also worth remembering that many of these distressing conditions are progressive. Osteoporosis certainly is and that means it will get progressively worse. Often people say 'oh but I can manage, I don't want to be a bother' - well, you may manage one day but not the next, you may be managing - just - this year but as time goes on you won't be managing.

Just a few ideas.

margaretclare

PS: Didn't you say the Crohn's disease is 'terminal'? If so, I believe there is a way of 'fast-tracking' an application, because someone with this needs it NOW, not after she has died! Haven't you got a Benefits Adviser at your local CAB - you shouldn't have to do all this yourself.

princessdon

Terminal Chrons *usually* because of the terminum ilieum part of the bowel, not because of life expectancy.

bigmondy

thanks Guys. Appreciate your help.

tjp70

princessdon wrote: »

Terminal Chrons *usually* because of the terminum ilieum part of the bowel, not because of life expectancy.

This is probably right. I have Crohns in the terminal ileum. However I have a friend of a friend who has had so many flare ups that she has had the majority of her insides removed and functions with an ileostomy bag. If she gets another flare up, she has been told there is nothing further that they can do to help her. So I would class her case of Crohns as terminal.

bigmondy

Noted - thanks tjp70 - I dont think I will mention that to them - I did tell them what princessdon posted though -

GlasweJen

The DWp don't consider an illness to be terminal unless the claimant's doctors don't believe they will survive for longer than 6 months.

bigmondy

I am going to go round and speak to them tomorrow. They have an appointment with the Housing officer and I hope they are able to come to an agreement over the repayment of the "benefit overpayment" - they are worried about it - especially the old woman.

Thanks for all the advice guys. Really appreciate it.

eddie864

grummps wrote: »

Type 1 is easily controlled and certainly does not warrant someone being there at night just in case!

I disagree, Insulin dependant diabetes isn't easy to control at all. It requires careful control of diet and appropriate insulin usage. For most of us this works out ok, with occasional hypos and hypers. For the elderly, with eyesight issues, thinner skin (making veins easier to hit), possibly confusion issues and often dietary issues it is more likely that there are errors with dosage causing hypos and the like. It is entirely plausible for a diabetic to need night care in certain circumstances. Of course, for most of us it wouldn't be necessary but there are exceptions.

bigmondy

Thanks Eddie. Appreciate the advice.

Update on OP: It was quite incredible - we completed the form for the old girl and within 4 weeks it was approved straight off.

We havent submitted the Old Boy, he is a bit stubborn and doesnt think he is entitled to it. He is going in to hospital for an operation (supposed to be today - but they have phoned to say there isnt a bed for him - which is a worry - and perhaps there is another thread on NHS issues such as this).

I didnt want to exert any pressure on him. But as soon as he is better I will press him to complete it - in my view he is entitled to it because of his condition and exactly what Eddie mentioned above.