Disabled pensioner

Jellybro

Hi,
Just after a bit of advice.
My father is 70 and can no longer do very much for himself.
He has had 2 heart attacks, a stroke and most recently a second surgery for an aortal aneurism. He was medically retired some 20 years ago, but never claimed DLA.
My mum looks after him and does all the cooking and cleaning etc.
I looked on the PIP section of the government web site but it says pip is only available for 16-64 year olds.
Is there anything they can claim to make things a little easier for them? He has a blue badge, but nothing towards a car or anything, and he can't get in and out of the one they have very easily, as it's quite low. He is not aloud to drive at the moment as his defibrillator zapped him a few months ago.

Thanks
Jellybro

sheeps68

He could apply for attendance allowance for his care needs.

Mojisola

Attendance Allowance if he has care needs.

If he gets it, then your mother may be able to claim Carer's Allowance.

suse*

Might be worth getting them to call adult social services too for an oc health and falls team assesment. They can do some aids for free sometimes like extra banisters or purching stools etc. They won't be round all the time it is only a couple of visits then they leave you alone again but it all helps.

poppy12345

Jellybro wrote: »

Hi,
Just after a bit of advice.
My father is 70 and can no longer do very much for himself.
He has had 2 heart attacks, a stroke and most recently a second surgery for an aortal aneurism. He was medically retired some 20 years ago, but never claimed DLA.
My mum looks after him and does all the cooking and cleaning etc.
I looked on the PIP section of the government web site but it says pip is only available for 16-64 year olds.
Is there anything they can claim to make things a little easier for them? He has a blue badge, but nothing towards a car or anything, and he can't get in and out of the one they have very easily, as it's quite low. He is not aloud to drive at the moment as his defibrillator zapped him a few months ago.

Thanks
Jellybro

As someone else has already stated he could claim Attendance Allowance for care needs but this wouldn't include a car unfortunately.

Jellybro

Thankyou all for your replies, I'll look into attendance allowance for him.

margaretclare

He has a blue badge, but nothing towards a car or anything, and he can't get in and out of the one they have very easily, as it's quite low. He is not allowed to drive at the moment as his defibrillator zapped him a few months ago.

What does this mean?

And who does the driving? Mum?

Jellybro

He has a defibrillator to keep his heart beat regular. If it gives you a shock you are not allowed to drive for at least 6 months after. To be honest he has not driven in years... My mum does it.

margaretclare

Jellybro wrote: »

He has a defibrillator to keep his heart beat regular. If it gives you a shock you are not allowed to drive for at least 6 months after. To be honest he has not driven in years... My mum does it.

Thanks for the explanation. I didn't know this.

Your Mum will find, probably is finding, that it's an absolute godsend being able to drive. Too many women of the same age-group are left in a parlous state because they never learned to drive and 'it's too late now'.

With all that your Dad has wrong with him he definitely should be claiming AA, should have done so some time ago. It's all about what he can't do for himself/what someone else has to do that he can't, either by day or by night. Mobility doesn't come into it after age 65 I'm afraid. The powers-that-be assume that we're all immobile after 65. However, if/when AA is granted it's money that can be used for anything and if that means helping with car costs, it's up to you, no one will ask.

Mojisola

It would be worth getting help with the forms, eg. AgeUK or the Stroke Association.

Jellybro

Thanks,
My mum has driven for years... He had his first major heart attack when he was only 37. She had young children, one of whom has a disability, and a husband with a knackered heart.... She has had no choice!!!

Thankyou everyone for all your help. I phoned the attendance allowance help line today and they are sending forms out.

My dad has never applied for this sort of thing before... He is a very proud ... And stubborn... Man!!