BLUE BADGES - experiences and questions

[EcclesCakesPlz]

I've being trying to persuade my Mum to apply for a BB but she feels she doesn't qualify because she's not 'bad enough'.

I'm not sure myself how stringent the criteria are. I've completed the application online (the questionnaire part) and it says she may qualify.

She's almost 97.
She walks unaided most of the time, but when I take her out to shop, we do have to try to park as close to a store as possible. I have to help her navigate big car parks (supermarkets) because her hearing isn't great and she isn't that aware of cars moving in and out of spaces.

She has macular degeneration. This is treated with injections, regularly. When she is being collected after treatment, her eyesight is blurred so whoever is picking her up (me or my sister) has to wait at the door in the car, although it's not really a parking area.

Very occasionally, on uneven pavements, she will use a walking stick.

The BB questions ask if she uses a walking aid(s).
They ask if she can only walk very short distances without stopping for breath (this isn't the case.)
They ask if she gets Attendance Allowance- she does.
They ask if she has medical conditions- yes, the macular.

However, she thinks these are not enough to qualify.

Is it worth applying?

I haven't read any further than "she's almost 97".

Just apply. Go slowly through the application, answering the questions as if she is having a bad day eg after her macular degeneration jabs.

You might want to horrify her by applying for Attendance Allowance at the same time (although that might make her feel a bit old).

Definitely do apply,my husband has problems getting in and out of the car because of foot drop so needs the extra space to be able to fully open the door and get his walking stick without falling over.Our doctor got Age Uk to come out and access him and they also filled in the forms and took the photo.He had the BB within 2 weeks.It may be worth speaking to Age Uk they are very helpful.Having read your post I’m quite certain your mother is entitled to a BB.Good luck.

It sound like she qualifies due to sight loss. Is she registered blind or partially sighted?

Age alone doesn't qualify you, a sprightly 90 something that can walk 200m unaided will not get a blue badge but this isn't the case here

If you don't ask you don't get. Apply and ask her GP for input too.

I have a Blue Badge - I applied online and had to supply copies of various medical stuff/letters etc. I submitted all of this online. The decisions seem to depend on where you live, some areas applying stricter criteria.

I am not on any disability-related benefits, so that is not always relevant.

I find it immensely helpful as I can park nearer and, most importantly for me, can park in disabled spaces with more clearance on either side, as getting out of a car is painful for me if I cannot open the door to its widest. Most areas you park free with a blue badge - an unexpected perk!

The badge applies to the person, not the car, so you can use your car with Mum in it.

@olderbutwiser Thank you. She does get AA (see my post) but only very recently after I persuaded her to apply. (I did the application for her.)

My Mum is a cup half full person (maybe that's why she is as old as she is!) and always thinks of what she can do on her 'good days' rather than the days when she isn't so good.

She still loves to shop, and it's often a real PITA trying to park close enough to somewhere, or navigate a multi storey car park with her, because I need to 'steer' her away from cars as if she's a toddler (especially electric ones that are silent.)

It sound like she qualifies due to sight loss. Is she registered blind or partially sighted?

No. Her eyesight is better than mine! Cataracts done, and treatment for MD is working.

But when she has treatment, either once every 4 or 6 weeks, her eyesight is blurred from the treatment, for several hours.

Age alone doesn't qualify you, a sprightly 90 something that can walk 200m unaided will not get a blue badge but this isn't the case here

She can walk a good distance unaided. But having said that, she can't manage hills very well and she is afraid of tripping up on pavements.

My mother has one. It's so very useful when I'm taking her anywhere. No more parking up right by the door then finding her somewhere safe to sit while i find a space.
Negotiating wobbly mother plus a load of shopping is way easier in a disabled space, even when we aren't using the wheelchair.
Have a chat with your mum and see if perhaps she will get one for your benefit, if not hers! * *

Certainly worth applying - and help her fill it in and make sure you are answering how she is on her worst days.

I would apply for it on a falls prevention basis. My Mum is 94 and we finally applied when she was 91. I naively assumed they would nod it through because of her age, but I really had to argue her case with the deciding officer. She doesn't have mobility problems as such, but walking any distance tires her out and she has asthma. He finally said yes and I'm so glad he did as she has got a lot weaker over the past two years and her balance is deteriorating. It's been a godsend.

It seems like she should qualify. I just applied this summer because I was loosing the ability to get in and out of the car (needed to open the door wide) and also to walk any distance at all really. It has made a huge difference. My condition progressed to me needing a wheelchair so I was really grateful to have it. I also didn't think I was bad enough and had to be encouraged to apply. I also didn't think I would qualify for PIP but was encouraged to apply and assessed for standard and enhanced mobility. Just to say it seems I am bad enough, i just didn't want to be and didn't accept it easily. X

In this case then I don't think she'll qualify. My mum has macular degeneration (she's 79) and doesn't qualify. Also, even though her near sight is really bad, she's still passed the DVLA vision check for driving and is still the best driver I've ever met. When she has those drops you speak of, she just sits for 45 mins to an hour for her vision to return, before driving home.

When she has those drops you speak of, she just sits for 45 mins to an hour for her vision to return, before driving home.

Your mum is almost 20 years younger though.

It's not the drops, it's the actual injections in the eye that cause her eyesight to blur.

Mine often gets large black floaters, and soreness/headache for the rest of the day and has to lie down.

Under our council a standalone application (ie not with an automatic entitlement through CDP/ADP - Scottish disability benefits) will usually mean an OT assessment. I did one where I had to go to their offices in the next town.

I would like to think common sense would be applied and a decision made based on paper for someone who is 97, but some councils are not so sensible.

She walks unaided most of the time, but when I take her out to shop, we do have to try to park as close to a store as possible.
A person can also be an aid. Does she go shopping alone most of the time or only with another person? Does she have to link arms with you for support or guidance instead of using a stick?

Yeah she has the injections too.
Thing is, it's only occasionally and if they grant it, it can be used any time. I know it sounds horrible. I just know this as my Dad had congestive heart failure before he died and when his legs swelled up with water (common with congestive heart failure) he couldn't walk. At all. Not until he had fluid drained in hospital. They refused him a blue badge on account of him only occasionally needing it! Despite the fact that he had heart failure and needed to carry oxygen round with him if he left the house. Nope. It's very very strict.

However, if your Mum was awarded certain rates of PIP, she will automatically be awarded a blue badge. I know this as I have one! I have to send my PIP award letter in every time it's renewed and they issue it automatically.

Being awarded Enhanced Mobility means you're now entitled to a Motability vehicle. If you want one, of course

Hmmm...reading the posts here makes me think she won't.

She wouldn't qualify if it was an OT assessment, because she is okay a lot of the time, just slightly unsteady at others.

Enhanced mobility isn't an automatic blue badge either

I don’t think it sounds like she would qualify because it sounds like she can walk a fair distance. The section on planning journeys might be worth looking at if she can’t go alone. I found accessing the BB very hard. It’s worth trying though because having it has transformed our lives.

Your post reminded me of a relative of mine who also thought she wouldn't qualify at 94!
Their macular degeneration was more advanced than your DMs though so they qualified on that alone! But they manage to live independently and don't get Attendance Allowance.
I think it all depends how you word your answers. If you specify risk of falls, not able to walk up inclines, for example, you may stand a better chance. The blurred eyesight after injections is only a temporary disability so will not be a qualifying factor.

My mum has arthritic knees and is aged 85. Her GP wrote a supporting letter and it was approved.
The council have also agreed to paint a disabled bay outside her house for her car but we are still waiting for that.

But they manage to live independently and don't get Attendance Allowance.

Attendance Allowance is not used to pay carers, or for 'attendance'.
My Mum lives alone.

It's there to help with increased costs, such as needing the heating on a bit more, extra water usage , having to pay for taxis if family can't step in (for medical appts), even helping to pay for phone/ broadband costs if that's their main source of contact, etc etc.

I recommend applying anyway. How far can she walk unaided? At 97 her health is going to decline, so you're hardly telling lies to 'beat the system'. Do you think it would make a very old lady's life easier? If so, do it (in my post above I meant that telling her it would make your life easier, just so we're clear, to encourage her to apply)