Higher Rate AA

[Feelingstrange2]

My father was awarded Lower Rate AA a year ago. Since then his dementia has deteriorated and daytime care has increased but also nighttime.....

In August after 2 hospital stays for infection he moved to live with us
We built a new shower so he could access it with appropriate personal care
He had a months respite in Janaury in a care home so we had a break. He cannot now live on his own - not even with 4 visits a day.
We moved his bedroom to be next to us as he was waking more often at night so we could hear him quicker
He now wakes 5 nights out of 7 at least once (sometimes twice) for reasons varying from he thinks it's the daytime, to fecal incidents or disconnecting his catheter night bag. Some of these take quite some time to clean up others are quicker to sort with reassurance and return to bed.

All of this is required due to his worsening frailty and dementia, and some is linked in part to his indwelling catheter.

Is this the sort of care that would be assessed under the higher rate?

Seems likely. You should certainly apply - you lose nothing if it's turned down, and gain if it's accepted.

Yes. My dad was awarded the higher rate, purely because he had to get up to the loo during the night.

So I've rung to ask. They've asked why so I've given them the major changes as everything we did last year to support still exists it's just even more on top. Significantly so with a move to our house to live from his.

Apparently they completely reapply but that's fine .

Thanks

I was talking to AA staff this morning about this situation exactly. My mum is now in a care home after falls, but same kind of thing - needs so much more help now, assistance with nearly everything during the day, and also help with toileting at night, which seems to be the deciding factor. The phrase the guy used was '24/7 care'. The increase, if awarded, will be backdated to when you contacted AA to advise of change of circumstance/change in level of care.

My DM didn't need nearly as much care as your DF and she got higher rate AA. I was quite surprised, but her forms were filled in by someone from Welfare and Benefits at the local Authority and DM wasn't one to accept unnecessary help.

Yes he definitely needs someone around all of the time. That's why he moved to us and why, for respite, we chose a privately funded care home place rather than any other option.

She read me the riot act about how the payment could go down as well as up (or stay the same). I don't mind re doing the paperwork that's all fine. If they think he has improved they can come and cover for me for 24 hours!

Yes. More than likely. Worth reapplying