Attendance allowance

I think this is a Zombie Thread @Ikeptgoing but that is true and probably useful to some posters on here

DM has been formally diagnosed with Alzheimer's so I am hoping that will be sufficient for her to qualify but I know there are recommended ways of describing the help she needs.

I don't know if you have applied for this, but with a diagnosis of dementia, you can contact the local borough council housing dept to ask for a council tax exemption form. It applies where someone has significant cognitive impairment such as any memory loss diagnosis. It uses arcane words "mental disorder.. that significantly affect the functioning of the mind" or something to that affect, just answer yes diagnoses with Alzheimer's disease dementia in x date by Dr (whoever) and where that doctor is from (eg community mental health team?)

Well done!

Great news well done!

It was freepost although it doesn't say that in the address.

Mine came with an addressed envelope and it was Wolverhampton so I'd go with that.

It's worth doing because it makes claiming other things easier, carer's allowance and carer's credit, council tax rebate are the first that pop to mind. Blue badge, too.

That is the weekly rate but mum (new claim) will be paid every four weeks (might be every month, I can't remember exactly).

It's worth doing because it makes claiming other things easier, carer's allowance and carer's credit, council tax rebate are the first that pop to mind.

Thanks @MereDintofPandiculation is that paid each week?

£59.70 basic rate
£89.15 higher rate if 24 hour care is needed

Looking at this with my DF.
Anyone know how much it is they are likely to be given?

I recently made a successful application on behalf of my mum, mid 80s with increasingly poor mobility.

I filled it in as if I were her and got her to agree to the content and sign it. There is an opportunity to say you are doing it on behalf of someone else but it seemed to complicate matters. I printed out two paper copies. Did a draft, had a relative read and edit then rewrote it.

There is no separate form to apply for the higher (night) rate. The form is automatically assessed for eligibility for both day and night.

Think about the parent as if they have no help. I agree the form is about personal care, however there is a whole section about what activities you would like to do and need help with. The example they give is go for a swim. My mum was never very active or sociable so I didn’t know what to put but then I realised that my mum is now so immobile she can’t access her garden so I put that she would like to be able to sit outside for ten minutes. She is unable to do that without supervision. I also thought about what I do for her and remembered I select and return library books so I added that she would like to visit the library but is unable to do so.

Getting this money has been pivotal in getting my mum to agree to getting help (other than me ) in. I now need to source that help

When filling in the form you highlight all the things she cannot or would not do. So for example your Mum may be capable of doing many things, physically but because of her memory she may/does forget.

Think washing, dressing, food prep and eating. Also medication, does she need to be reminded. Think from the time she gets up to the time she does to bed.

For example many people with memory problems can prepare and eat meals but due to their memory loss forget to eat or eat more often.

As much detail as possible, the diagnosis is not enough unfortunately, worst day scenario.

Good luck.

Carer's allowance and attendance allowance are two separate things. If you pay for, or carry out any care for your parents you can apply for carer's allowance. In some circumstances an elderly or disabled couple can claim carer's allowance for each other.
For example, one of my parents was blind and had very poor mobility, the other was deaf but pretty mobile. They were able to do specific carer's tasks for each other.

Always write your descriptions based on a bad day, not a good day.
Age UK are very helpful if you need any advice about applying for anything.
I would recommend filling in a paper application, keeping a copy and posting it by recorded delivery.
I was trying to do it online and it was an absolute nightmare.
I found it helpful to gather all the medical information in the form of GP and consultant letters and medication information before I started.
It took me a few hours to complete applications for 2 people.

Just a few other questions, mum already has carers so do I state what they have to do for her? Also, I am filling it in so do I refer to her in the third person or complete it as though I am her? I filled it in in third person

There is a section for a professional to complete, did you get the GP to do this or someone else? I can't remember that being a compulsory section.

Good to be doing it third person, is very dispiriting for the person applying to be involved as it's all about what they can't do. I remember being with a friend while an OT helped him with his AA application - we got a pretty good picture of his needs, but you could see him shrinking in front of us as it was hammered home quite how great his needs were. It was much easier with my father as I didn't have to show him everything I'd said.

I filled it in for my dad. Thought about if he was living in his own with no help what did he need help with. Put everything including current carers. We sent a copy of his current prescription, copies of some consultant letters. Put every health condition down not just Alzheimer’s. Think about help making phone calls, attending appts, travel there etc.

Fly girl. In your situation I would write down “Mum does this and that”. Plus any observations of your own “I have noticed that Mum doesn’t notice if her clothes don’t match, or if she has spilled food down her front”.

I never asked any professional person to comment. No one outside the home knows how your Mum copes. Apart from the Carers. Spell out everything they do.

Don’t forget to try for the night allowance too if appropriate. Think or ask Mum “ when you are settled in bed, are you sorted for the night, until you wake? The kinds of problems are as follows. Unable to sleep due to anxiety/pain/discomfort. Needing to change position. They will need how often and how long. Make an estimate. Every minute counts towards the decision. Does she need to get out of bed/take medication/make a drink/ deal with cramp. What risks are there?

The biggie is toilet needs. Most people need a night time wee. Again make an estimate of number of times/how long before back in bed settled. Can she make it in time? Any trickling or accidents. Does she have to walk across tge top of the stairs. Is she unsteady in her feet. Does she have a commode at side of bed? So same problems as getting out of bed. Any difficulties using commode. Who deals with it in the morning? Again number of times and length is important. To get the night allowance your Mum needs to have difficulties for a significant length of time. This is cumulative.

The process of completing the form is draining for both of you. But so worthwhile on a financial level. Plus once AA is awarded to your Mum, there could be other financial help available.

@Therealone Iwasn't intending to criticise. It's not necessarily obvious that personal care includes feeding (other than spooning food into a mouth) alongside the more obvious things like washing and toileting. Without prompting, I probably wouldn't have thought around all the things to do with my father's meals, like not getting round to eating, restricted diet, having to slide his plate along the work surface rather than carry it straight to table...

Sorry about the lengthy reply. I went into civil servant mode.