Very unfair that Carers Allowance is not paid to pensioners

Are you aware that your husband can claim attendance allowance Primrose53? My mum gets it, and it pays for her to have a carer to get her up in the morning? She is very happy with the service provided by the agency used by her local council, but it can be used for private care as well, or for other things that make life more comfortable.

I'm sorry to hear of your situation, Primrose. I agree that it seems unfair that you are excluded because of your age, although Casdon has suggested that you might get a different allowance.

Have you spoken to Age UK? They should be able to put you in touch with the relevant people and advise about what your entitlements might be.

Primrose - I don’t know much about these things but isn’t there something called Disability Living Allowance ? Glad you have complained about those carers. There are always bad apples. Hopefully, they will be replaced by good caring people.
Sorry to hear about your husband.

Has attendance allowance Bern applied for

It's because Carer’s Allowance is an “income replacement” benefit for people who are unable to work because they are caring full-time for a disabled person. That’s why it’s considered an overlapping benefit with the State Pension.

Your husband would definitely be eligible for Attendance Allowance and if you perhaps also have a disability you could claim it as well. If you contact your local Citizens Advice or Age Uk they will help you to complete the form . Alternatively go on to .gov.uk and search for how to claim Attendance Allowance. I hope this helps.

Having had a severe stroke would guarantee your DH gets the full AA. I got mine within 6 weeks, but I have at least three medical conditions, one being Macular Degeneration, which automatically qualified me.

I’m not unsympathetic Primrose I know from previous posts that you’ve really been through the mill due to your DH’s stroke and hospitalization. You sound very frustrated with your situation Primrose and perhaps it will take time to adjust to things and accept that the future is not what you had planned. (I speak from personal experience).

I’m sort of wondering what you expect the carers to do, considering they have strict guidelines to follow? What reason did you find only 2 any good, with enough reason to complain about the others. They aren’t nurses, cleaners, or cooks but carers - their job is simply to care for your DH. Unless you too are disabled, it’s expected that you are able to help your DH too, (I used to work for my LA’s home help service). A single person would probably welcome lunch and tea time visits, as social contact, to help toilet and to make a cup of tea, but I guess you’ve found that unnecessary. My friend advised her Mum to have her main meal, something simple usually bought in for the carer to present at lunchtime rather than in the evening. It’s unfortunate that times are so flexible, but sometimes that’s the nature of the beast and often location plays a big part if carers have a number of people to attend to there. It sounds as though you are having ‘free service’ for six weeks, but you might then want to approach a private agency where you could stipulate times.

I hope things soon settle down into some sort of routine that meets your DH’s needs. Please don’t think I’m criticizing.
Like other posters, I hope your DH is in receipt of AA or in the process of applying for it.

I wonder if the carers have a supply of disposable over shoes to wear which would protect your carpets from mud?

50 pairs for 4.96 pounds on Amazon.

I think you are missing out on allowances Primrose ask your GP to send you a social worker you will be surprised at what you can get to help you both in money and in appliances
Please don’t be so down on the carers they are rushing though traffic to get from placement to a placement it’s not an easy job they are only allowed a certain amount of time fr each so perhaps do have to rush
Six Weeks free care really is a generous offer for most people

I think you are understandably very ‘down’ at the recent change of events and you may need some help yourself Life is not a bowl of cherries when illness takes over but help is out there you just need to find it and that can be difficult
Good luck Primrose

Sorry to hear your husband is so ill PrimroseI’ve been a full time carer for my husband for the last five years so I fully understand your concerns and frustration with the situation. It’s exhausting physically and mentally trying to organise and train carers in the way you want your loved one cared for.

As others have said get all the benefits you are entitled to this help make the load a bit lighter for you and for your husband.
I use AA for all the jobs he used to do. Gardening cleaning the car, washing bins and I now have a cleaner for the house too. Anything that helps take a bit of strain from yourself.

Speak to the carers and direct them as to how you want your husband managed and a conversation with the management team …again….as to times etc is perhaps needed.

The foot covering is a good idea I thought.

I’m in Scotland and get financial help through Self Directed Support. This enables me to have over twenty hours care in the week.My husband would be in a home without this help.

I do hope things settle down for you both.

PS. Our cares now are like friends. I’m very grateful for all they do.

Please contact AgeUk and ask them to help you navigate the system and to apply for benefits. The Stroke Association will also help you.

You must be floundering and exhausted.

crazyH

Primrose - I don’t know much about these things but isn’t there something called Disability Living Allowance ? Glad you have complained about those carers. There are always bad apples. Hopefully, they will be replaced by good caring people.
Sorry to hear about your husband.

DLA was the precursor of PIP and is granted to the disabled person, who must be of working age when they are given it.

I deduce that Primroses's DH is over retirement age, so the benefit he is entitled to is Attendance Allowance. Given his disability he should get night time as well as day time rates.

However you have to have been disabled for 6 months before you can receive this benefit,, although you can apply for it well in advance.

Can I just add as Granniesunite said my Dads carers became his friends and loved him they would do anything for him within their means he really looked forward to their visits Most were from other countries and at first he was scared they wouldn’t understand him but they were wonderful with him two or three even came to his funeral A young Portuguese man was a real friend and went over and above when he could

I do wish you good luck I m sure you are still in shock with all the changes

Oh so sorry Primrose you are having a terrible time as is your DH. Please reach out to as many people as possible including age Uk.
As others have said I’m sure you’ll be able to claim AA. It is then up to you how you spend this money.
Also. Look into direct payments. These are payments made to you, or a nominated person to help pay for your DH care.
We had this for my dad. It means that you’re able to choose your own carer for your DH. The person nominated receives payment from your DH. At least then you’d be able to choose the carer and stipulate the hours they work.
Sorry I’m not much good at explaining.Age UK will be able to help. Wishing you both all the best

Following on from BlueBelle's post. I thinkbyou can now self refer to Adult Social Carer.

Primrose We applied for Attendance Allowance for Mum a year ago, which was granted.

She has Dementia, and most of the questions seem to revolve around physical ability, so we thought it may not be granted. It was, and was backdated to her diagnosis.

So I am quite certain your DH will be entitled to it.

I wish you both well, as it must be so exhausting

I'm so sorry that your husband is so poorly, I hope he continues to improve. It's such a huge change in both your lives.
When mil was on palliative care we applied for carer's allowance and got it very quickly. We were able to find a carer privately and although expensive she was absolutely amazing. She worked round us rather than the other way round mil really enjoyed her company. Sil also had private carer's for her husband who had a devastating stroke. He had to have carers for 20 years but she also found private arrangements worked best for her. I know not everyone has the money to do this but I think this is why we save something for our old age, it's not to pass money on to children, it's to spend on our care when we're unable to look after ourselves.
We found our carer by recommendation, because the pay in care homes is poor there are people who prefer the flexibility and working conditions of self employment.

It’s good to hear your husband is home and I’m sorry to read things are tough for both of you. As others have advised, Carers Allowance is the one to apply for.
Age Concern can be very helpful in identifying any other support you may find useful.
It’s exhausting on many levels. Try to look after yourself as well

I’ve written to my MSP telling her I don’t qualify for disability allowance as I had my stroke after I retired, nor do I qualify forPIP . it’s really not fair , my friend tongue in cheek said I timed my stroke all wrong 🤬🤬however I do qualify for Attendance Allowance and 6 hrs a week direct payments. Get yourself a social worker who will help you with these benefits fight for what’s rightly yours - good luck

CocoPops

I wonder if the carers have a supply of disposable over shoes to wear which would protect your carpets from mud?

They are not allowed to wear those - already suggested that - because they could be a slip hazard!

Iam64

It’s good to hear your husband is home and I’m sorry to read things are tough for both of you. As others have advised, Carers Allowance is the one to apply for.
Age Concern can be very helpful in identifying any other support you may find useful.
It’s exhausting on many levels. Try to look after yourself as well

Can’t get Carers Allowance if you receive State Pension!