Alzheimers & Council Tax

Mojisola

retiredandskint wrote: »

I'm not sure what AA would be for OH does manage reasonably well. He's not at that stage yet that he needs much in the way of extra care.

If he's struggling to use the TV remote, he must be having problems in other areas.

If you are doing all the caring and happy to do it for free, you don't need to claim AA.

Having cared for relatives with dementia, I know it will get a lot worse and, if he is entitled to AA, I would claim it and put it away to pay for the help you will need.

If he is entitled to AA, you would be able to claim Carer's Allowance - you wouldn't get the full amount but it would still be worth getting.

cattermole

This perhaps will help? And explains about underlying entitlement in regard to carer's allowance.

http://www.nidirect.gov.uk/index/information-and-services/caring-for-someone/money-matters/carersallowance/carers-allowance-effect-on-other-benefits-and-entitlements.htm

retiredandskint

Thank you for all your helpful replies. We have an appointment with our Neurologist consultant on Thursday so will see where we go from there.

xylophone

I'm not sure what AA would be for OH does manage reasonably well. He's not at that stage yet that he needs much in the way of extra care.

This is worth a read. Contact your local Age UK, Citizens Advice Bureau or advice agency if you need help with the claim form.
http://www.ageuk.org.uk/money-matters/claiming-benefits/attendance-allowance/

"Attendance Allowance is a benefit for people who are 65 years old or over
who need help with personal care, or need supervision by day or someone to
watch over them by night, because of physical or mental disability. The
allowance is based on the help you need, not the help you actually get. "

If your spouse's memory is deteriorating, he may well need supervision.
Does he (eg) forget to turn off the gas rings?

xylophone

See also http://www.ageuk.org.uk/Documents/EN-GB/Lets%20Talk%20Money/LTM%20Attendance%20Allowance%20Leaflet.pdf?dtrk=true

SandraScarlett

cattermole wrote: »

That I can understand re having a sleep! x

I was a carer for over 20 years and a Direct Payments Support worker for a while. My OH works in Social Services.

Has his DRE (Disability Related Expenditure) been taken into account when assessing charges? You can offset, gardening costs, window cleaning, taxi fares. Any medication that he needs that isn't covered by a prescription. I do think a lot of people's expenditure is not being taken into account.

Any other care being purchased privately i.e. Crossroads could possibly be offset as well against LA provided care from a charging point of view because it is a DRE.

MSE is better than taking a degree at University! I've never heard of DRE, and assumed that DLA or AA would be used for the things that he can't (and I can't) do any more.


Our Social Worker has said that we can use any remaining funds from DH's LA allowance for Crossroads, but as his attendance hours exceed the allocated hours, there isn't anything spare!


It's certainly something to raise with our SW. Thank you.

retiredandskint wrote: »

Thank you for all your helpful replies. We have an appointment with our Neurologist consultant on Thursday so will see where we go from there.

It really is as easy as pie to get the reduction. I phoned the Town Hall (once I'd been educated on MSE!), and the one page form was sent out within a couple of days.


The front part was completed by me, just the usual name and address info etc, and then I gave the form to our GP, who completed the reverse.


If I remember rightly, this merely asked for his condition, and the date when the diagnosis was made. From the date the form was posted, until the day the refund reached our bank account was well under a fortnight.


My husband was first diagnosed with Multiple System Atrophy 10 years ago, and since then, not only the brain cells, but one of his kidneys has atrophied, or died. He's now at Stage 6/7 of Alzheimer's (there are 7 Stages), so I know only too well the progression of AD.


I hope the Council Tax info helps, and I wish you and your family well.


xx

cattermole

SandraScarlett wrote: »

MSE is better than taking a degree at University! I've never heard of DRE, and assumed that DLA or AA would be used for the things that he can't (and I can't) do any more.


Our Social Worker has said that we can use any remaining funds from DH's LA allowance for Crossroads, but as his attendance hours exceed the allocated hours, there isn't anything spare!


It's certainly something to raise with our SW. Thank you.




It really is as easy as pie to get the reduction. I phoned the Town Hall (once I'd been educated on MSE!), and the one page form was sent out within a couple of days.


The front part was completed by me, just the usual name and address info etc, and then I gave the form to our GP, who completed the reverse.


If I remember rightly, this merely asked for his condition, and the date when the diagnosis was made. From the date the form was posted, until the day the refund reached our bank account was well under a fortnight.


My husband was first diagnosed with Multiple System Atrophy 10 years ago, and since then, not only the brain cells, but one of his kidneys has atrophied, or died. He's now at Stage 6/7 of Alzheimer's (there are 7 Stages), so I know only too well the progression of AD.


I hope the Council Tax info helps, and I wish you and your family well.


xx

You are doing an amazing job with your Husband x

Is he being charged for services though provided by the LA?

I can start another thread if you like in D&D on DRE/Charging/Care Packages because I haven't seen that may threads on these topics.

SandraScarlett

cattermole wrote: »

You are doing an amazing job with your Husband x

Is he being charged for services though provided by the LA?

I can start another thread if you like in D&D on DRE/Charging/Care Packages because I haven't seen that may threads on these topics.

The LA have agreed he needs to attend a club for 5 hours x 2 days a week. Originally I think it was one day for 4 hours, and I've kept asking for more till I was given this. He attends 5 days for 4 hours, and I'm paying the difference.


A thread on D & D would be great, as you obviously know your subject and people would really appreciate reliable information.


xx