Support Bubbles and definition of “disability”

[GrownUpDinner]

We visited my parents today - we are in tier 3 and they are 3 hours away so we went against the “stay local” guidance. We saw them outside as we have teenagers and my parents are mid 80s. It was the first time since the summer.

My dad has dementia and my mum can’t really leave him alone. Looking ahead, do you think we can link up to form a support bubble? The guidance says you can when “you are the only adult in your household who does not need continuous care as a result of a disability” - but I don’t think dementia is really classed as a disability. Things are very difficult for my mum - dad has to be reminded about COVID approx every 2 hours. She has to explain every morning :(

Sorry, that must be so difficult for you all. I think it’s totally reasonable to form a support bubble - your dad clearly isn’t well enough to live on his own if your mum wasn’t on hand, so I think that counts as needing continuous care.

Yes, you can form a bubble. In this context dementia would definitely count as a disability.

Dementia can definitely be classed as a disability for many people with it. Not necessarily in the early stages, but it sounds like your dad would fit the criteria.

I would think that legally speaking, you would be fine to create a support bubble and I totally agree that dementia counts as a disability. However, whether this is sensible is another matter, given the risk that it may pose to your parents. If you have teens and your family members are mixing with others and going out and about, there is a reasonable chance that one of you could pass COVID on to your parents. With the vaccine likely to be available to them in the new year, I would hold on until it’s safer.

Of course you should create a support bubble, and just be as careful as you can be. Your situation sounds incredibly difficult and covid restrictions are not designed to make things worse for people in yours and your parents position.

You can form one. But really is it a good idea if you have teenagers at school? If wait until they get the vaccine, of over 80 they should be getting it very soon!

Thanks all - sensible advice! I agree with the risks meeting inside so we won’t do that until the vaccine, but we feel incredibly guilty even meeting them outside as we are breaking the “stay local” guidance. At least now I feel reassured that we could form a support bubble. Thank you

Yes dementia counts as a disability, the live in carer, be that husband, wife, son or daughter etc certainly need support too