We help clients complete DLA and AA forms.

Can anyone tell us if it is better to list all aides and appliances or not?

We are getting mixed messages as LASA are saying that to have them may lessen the ammount of care needs someone might have (as it means they do not need help from someone else).

The reason I say we are getting mixed messages is because we had always been told that by listing all the aides and appliances we were showing the need for help (as only those that need help would have them)

Can you please give us your thoughts on this.

Is there a difinitive answer?

Mark

Dont go looking for definitive answers.

Aids and adaptations are evidence of a need AND may also be evidence that the need has been met and that attention or supervision is not reasonably required.

On balance most aids and adaptations will demonstrate that the need does clearly exist. However, how many aids and adaptations will meet the particular need so completely and fully that a Decision Maker could reasonably say that the need has been met, and therefore should not be counted when assessing attention or supervision?

The commode may enable a person to toilet without assistance but when will the commode be emptied and is help needed for this?

Similarly hand rails may make it possible for someone to mobilise indoors, but if there is a risk of falling or evidence of a fall then the presence of handrails will not show that the need for attention or supervision for moving about indoors has been met.

In my experience approach aids and adaptations in this way and they will help to get good results.

Just to be clear-

LASA are not saying don't put something on the DLA form if it explicitly asks the question!

I agree with Andy from Southwark WRU in terms of how aids/appliances play out:

1. The fact an appliance has been provided is evidence that help with that function is required.

2. The question then is to determine whether the applicance removes a need for attention (by satisfactorily enabling the claimant to manage for themselves) or is it the case that even with the aid the claimant still reasonably requires assistance to perform the activity (classic case- client with one of those things for putting on socks says it takes her about 30 minutes to use the thing- if accepted then presumably help still reasonably required).

Thank you both for help.
Mark