Is a stroke a dissability? 4 June 2018 at 2:27PM in Disability money matters 8 replies 1.7K views

muddyl

Hi all,


Not sure if this is the right place to ask this but I have no idea with this i'm afraid.


Long story short. My mother had a severe stroke two months ago. She will soon be leaving hospital and going into a rehabilitaion center for roughly 6 weeks. From there she will either stay there at cost, or go back home for my father and myself to look after her.


Firstly. Is a stroke considered a dissability? She can talk and hold a basic conversation but often gets confused. She can no longer read or tell the time and can not walk without assistance not get out of a chair or bed on her own. She can not dress herself, clean herself or anything of that nature. Is that classed as a disability or something different?


Secondly, Would my father be elligable for carrers allowance or something similar if she was to go home?


Thirdly, what happens with regards to costs if she is not able to return home and has to stay somewhere for her care?


At the moment I do not know their financial status other than they own their home outright. They are both in their 70's.


I have never had to deal with anything like this and I'm lost as to where to start looking for info. Any help greatly appreciated.


Thanks.

NeilCr

Your mum could make a claim for Attendance Allowance

Details here

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/attendance-allowance/

If she is awarded Attendance Allowance then your dad could get Carers Allowance for looking after her

Information on care homes and finance here

https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/care/care-homes/paying-for-a-care-home/#

Might be worth contacting The Stroke Association for advice and support

https://www.stroke.org.uk/finding-support/life-after-stroke/financial-support

elsien

You should ask for a Continuing Healthcare Needs assessment although this may be better done closer to the time that she is ready to leave the rehabilitation unit in order to properly assess her needs at the time. It's not about having a disability label, it's about the practicalities of what she can and can't do for herself and the impact that has on her.

If her needs are primarily nursing needs (and they would need to be severe/complex needs) then CHC would be responsible for any support to get her home. And to pay towards her care in a nursing home if she is not able to return home. If she is not eligible for any health funding (sometimes it is split between health and the local authority) and from what you have said it sounds more like help with day to day care than specific nursing needs, then you would request a Care Act assessment to see what help she can get to return home. Your dad could also have an assessment of his needs as a carer at the same time. You should also be asking for OT assessments to see if there are any aids/adaptations that would allow a return home to be more successful.

If she does need help at home, or to go into care at any point, then who would pay would depend on the results of a financial assessment. There is a lot of information about this on the Age UK site if you want to look it up in more detail.

Starrystarrynight1

A diagnosis alone isn't a disability. To be considered disabled under the terms of the 2010 Equality Act, a person must have a physical or mental impairment to their health which a long term and substantial negative effect on their ability to do their normal day to day activities.

Mojisola

Why are you concerned about whether the after-effects of a stoke are considered a 'disability'?

Health benefits are given if the person has needs - they don't have to have any particular illness or disability.

As has been said above - look on the AgeUK site for a start. It can be quite bewildering for a newcomer to the benefit system so come back with any questions you have.

Also ask at the rehab centre - they may have someone who can help out with benefits claims and advice.

[Deleted User]

You don't say how old she is? It might make a difference re:benefits.

NeilCr

venison wrote: »

You don't say how old she is? It might make a difference re:benefits.

Penultimate paragraph of the OP.

They are both in their 70s

winnac01

All Strokes are different and disabilities vary dramatically from short-term weakness to severe paralysis, contact your local Stroke Association, if you cant find it on google your GP will have the number they will come out and help you with all this information.

[Deleted User]

NeilCr wrote: »

Penultimate paragraph of the OP.

They are both in their 70s

Trust me lol