To think my blind friend really needs more help?

[wol1968]

Why is it that elderly folk are entitled to home helps, carers etc. in their own homes but my friend, who is registered blind, on benefits, separated and living alone and unlikely ever to get a job due to her disability, has to pay if she wants her house clean? I was the other day to hear about her (NS)DM going on to her about how 'filthy' her house was...she keeps it as tidy as she can but SHE. CAN'T. SEE.

And yes, she is in regular contact with Social Services. Chocolate teapots all, which regularly melt away when things get heated. I daresay it's all too expensive. Isn't everything?

It does seem unfair. I wonder if it is not so much the actual cleaning she can't do, but she just needs someone to cast their eyes over the house every few days. Would only take a few minutes, perhaps you or her DM could help with this? We all miss bits when cleaning, but of course your friend won't know if she has missed bits. So smears left on washing up, or slightly dirty toilets etc she won't notice.

www.rnib.org.uk/services-we-offer/advice-and-support-services

Does she get full rate mobility now? The rules changed a few years ago, to allow a blind person to be awarded the higher rate of mobility.

That's what DLA and PIP are for - she'll be entitled to one or the other, which she can use to pay for a cleaner. That's what my grandparents do.

Yanbu. It is called 'the cuts', bestowed upon us by Osbourne et al. Depending on your LA, adult services have had massive cuts to their budgets. Does you friend get PIP? She may be entitled (or may not). Someone I worked with has recently had his leg amputated (upper thigh) in a RTA and is not eligible for ANY help, not even a blue badge, and has been waiting months for a prosthetic leg. Apparently he is not disabled enough! Job centres words, not mine.
Welcome to Cameron\Cleggs Britain

My blind friend's house is cleaner than mine she doesn't have a cleaner, I wonder how she does it, she doesn't have much stuff (no ornaments as I guess they are pretty useless if you can't see!) and a fairly small home.

elderly folk are entitled to home helps, carers etc. in their own homes - my parents need quite a lot of help now to stay in their own home, and they have to pay for all the services. Gardener, cleaners, carers 4 times a day. So YANBU if you are assuming it's all handed to them on a plate.