Help for Adult Learning disability please

Replies

By Tricia

Re: Help for Adult Learning disability please
Tue 11 Dec 2007 17:53

Hello Tina

I have lost count of the amount of people who I have spoken to in similar situations as yourself regarding no DLA.

To get the ball rolling I would demand a carers assessment for yourself first this can be supported through your local carers centre. Also to contact the DLA to request a DLA form to be sent to you (I am not sure if you can download them from the website)

You may need support in filling out these forms as they are not easy to fill in (it can take me up to three hours to complete my son's DLA form and that is just for the review of his DLA) Who ever does fill in the forms please make sure that they fill in all parts and not to say refer to questiong such and such on page such and such as this is ignored. It may be of use to start and keep a diary of your sisters care needs, such as if she needs help getting dressed going to the bath room going out and about through out the day time, if she is up through the night and needs to be supervised for her own safety, if she requires her food to be cooked because she is unable to do it herself, also while keeping the diary note the time it takes and how often each day.

Social Services are fully aware people have not coped for the last fourty plus years just because they have not been involved. Many families have just taken each day as it arrives because there has been no alternative. Social Services also know that there is a huge demand for people of your sisters age due to the parents who have cared for them are no longer able to do the caring role. This has brought many problems in that the person with the disability has not been able to gain any independant skills due to living at home.

There is an option of supported independent living, this is not as awful as it sounds. I know of a lot of people with physical as well as learning disabilities who have successfully managed to live independent lives with support of course. It is often the carer who is left not knowing how to cope after caring for so many years while the person they cared for ends up with a life that beyond anyone's expectations.

There are many other routes which you could consider such as direct payments if you have carers who need to look after your sister while you are out at work. Unfortunately this can not be someone who lives at your home address but could be a close relative if for example a son or daughter has left home and they no longer live at your address.

I hope this is of some use.

Which area are you living in I am in North Tyneside and we do have services for adults with learning disabiltiies.

By Tina Beattie

Re: Help for Adult Learning disability please
Tue 11 Dec 2007 18:26

Thank you so much Tricia. I live in Hampshire so I will make contact with my local carer's centre.
I think my sister falls into rather a " grey area " . She does not actually live with me - her daughter came to live with me over two years ago. My sister lives with an abusive , alchoholic boyfriend. The only help / support we received was via the police when they became involved last summer after a violent incident. The Social worker could not get into the police station fast enough then ( after months of emails and phone calls to them and no action or help. ) Because the police classed her as a vulnerable adult they had to get involved finally.
My sister needs help with lots of things but to be fair she can dress herself and cook. As you quite rightly say - my parents took care of her but actually that did not enable her to become independant or gain all the skills that she may be capable of.
Thank you fo taking the time to reply.