Galton I spent 10 years completing AA forms for what was Age Concern. The questions on the forms have nothing to do with people needing everything done for them. It is for people who could benefit from having some help with doing these things. Many people receiving this benefit are still living at home alone, but manage to get things done.
The first question on the form asks about getting in and out of bed. When I asked this question, most people would say, no they didn't need help they 'managed'. To which my response was always 'So you get in and out of bed as if you were still 20' At which point they would begin to explain how they found sitting up difficult, that once sat up they had to sit for a few minutes, before getting their feet on the floor and, probably sit again before levering themselves up into standing postion by clutching the side of the bedside table and pushing up with the other arm. Now once you reach this stage, then the danger of falling arises. if you get it a bit wrong, the arm levering you out of bed, slips on the sheet and you twist. Even when standing, you may be stiff, and have to hold onto something before you feel fully secure on your feet.
This danger of falling, present in different ways through out the process of getting up means that in an ideal world you would be able to rub Aladdin's lamp and there would be a carer in the room to watch you and help while you got out of bed - before disappearing again.
Apply this approach to every question, and you will soon see how it becomes clear that someone is in a position where, ideally there should be someone on hand in case they need help, although they manage without.
I have a friend in that situation. She lives alone, has a number of disabilities, but gets Attendance Allowance because, although she is very careful, she is not steady on her feet and has had a number of falls, so far, thankfully, she has suffered no serious injury. She needs odd 'pops' of help to get dessed and undressed, clthes are chosen because they are easy to get in and out of and dressing takes a long time.
Sorry to write so much, but so many people do not apply for AA or get turned down because they do not understand how AA works. This is why I always advise people to seek assistance form Age UK or Citizens Advice.
