Attendance allowance for dementia

theclaire

Hello,

My grandfather has diagnosed Alzheimer's which has of course progressively become worse since diagnosis 18 months ago. My grandmother is sole carer. We are going to try and apply for attendance allowance, does anybody know if a repeat prescription for his dementia medication and an appointment letter for memory clinic is enough evidence? If not, will have to request medical records to be sent out.
Thank you for any help guys,
Claire

166million

Suggest ringing alzheimers society on 03002221122 the helpline should be able to inform you

WillowCat

My gran was awarded Attendance Allowance in 2013 based simply on our description of her needs. Although she suffered from dementia she had always refused to see a GP and the only meds she took were calcium tablets.

However at 92 it may have been expected that she may have need for a carer.

[Deleted User]

Age UK can be a big help if you ask they will send someone to help fill out the form.

xylophone

https://www.ageuk.org.uk/globalassets/age-uk/documents/factsheets/fs34_attendance_allowance_fcs.pdf

Alice_Holt

The DWP make the decision on an AA claim by:
1) Considering the care needs described on the AA form completed by the claimant; and
2) Getting a report from the health care professional(s) listed on the form.

This process is unlike PIP, where a medical assessment is done by ATOS / Maximus / etc, and therefore (given the standard of some PIP assessments), it is very advisable to include medical evidence from your medical professionals with the PIP form.

I would suggest getting help with the form, and letting the HCP listed on the form know that an AA application is being made (do make sure they are aware of your grandfather's care needs).
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/attendance-allowance/before-you-claim-attendance-allowance/check-if-entitled-to-attendance-allowance/

https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/info/20032/legal_and_financial/57/benefits/4

https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/money-legal/benefits-entitlements/attendance-allowance/

Mojisola

theclaire wrote: »

My grandfather has diagnosed Alzheimer's which has of course progressively become worse since diagnosis 18 months ago. My grandmother is sole carer.

We are going to try and apply for attendance allowance

Get help to fill in the forms and, if AA is awarded, look at grandmother claiming Carer's Allowance as well.

If she has a pension, she may not get the full award but will have 'an underlying entitlement' which can affect other benefits.

Being the sole carer for a dementia patient is very hard work. Your Gran can get a Carer's Assessment from the Social Workers for her needs and to set up an emergency plan for your Grandfather's care should she be taken ill.

SandraScarlett

Mojisola wrote: »

Get help to fill in the forms and, if AA is awarded, look at grandmother claiming Carer's Allowance as well.

If she has a pension, she may not get the full award but will have 'an underlying entitlement' which can affect other benefits.

Being the sole carer for a dementia patient is very hard work. Your Gran can get a Carer's Assessment from the Social Workers for her needs and to set up an emergency plan for your Grandfather's care should she be taken ill.

I looked after my late husband for the 12 years that he had Alzheimer's, but CA ceased when I started to receive SRP. I was told I couldn't get both unless I received Pension Credit, which I didn't.


Regarding getting a Carer's Assessment, this is very much a postcode lottery, like so many other things, and can take a very long time to secure, and often the exhausted Carer doesn't have the time to keep making telephone calls, trying to chase it up.


My heart goes out to anyone caring for a loved one, and especially those with Alzheimer's.

iceboy_2

Sorry to bring up an old thread..Not mentioning Dementia but: I read this on Which.. "Once the application has been received, your relative might also be asked to attend a medical assessment to check their eligibility, which can be at their home if getting to the assessment is difficult. At the assessment, they will need to provide identification". So do you have to attend an examination or not as this lost me my pip..although I have arthritis, I also have really bad nerves and going for the pip gave me a mini breakdown and I couldn't attend. So I lost my money..on here it say's there is nothing like the pip system..but on other sites it says there is..who is right?.I'm over 65 by the way.

nicter

Not sure if you are aware but any household where a person with diagnosed dementia lives gets a reduction in council tax

iceboy_2

I don't have this awful diagnosis thank God,I just didn't want to start another thread..but people tell me to put in for this benefit with my arthritis and other conditions..my wife is 69 and does a good job of making me take my meds etc..but I'm weary about all the face to face medicals this government is obsessed with at the moment..I have trouble leaving the house when the nerves start and I don't think I could cope.But thanks for replying.