|
Lucy
Lucy's daughter picked up a Benefits Advice at Home
leaflet from her GP's surgery and encouraged Lucy to telephone us for a benefits check. Lucy is
housebound and she has cataracts on both eyes impairing her vision, arthritis in most of her joints
and bad circulation. She had also had a number of falls.
Our Benefits Worker went to see Lucy at home and helped with a claim for Attendance
Allowance. She also had a chat to Lucy about her other needs and concerns which resulted in a
referral to our Handyperson Service for a spy-hole to be fitted and to get Lucy's smoke alarms
checked.
Within a month Lucy had been awarded the higher rate of Attendance Allowance
(£62.25 a week) and a back payment of £311.25. Another visit enabled us to help her
submit a claim for increased Pension Credit (to which the Attendance Allowance entitled her) and
this too was awarded within a few weeks.
As a result of our help Lucy's weekly income has increased from around £125 a week
to over £230, removing her money worries and enabling her to buy the things she needs to
manage her daily life comfortably.
Alice
Alice's family were finding it increasingly difficult to cope with the symptoms of her
dementia. Her husband, whose own mobility was becoming worse, found it easier to carry out most
household chores himself rather than allow Alice to help. As she has always been an independent
person this reliance on other people was becoming increasingly frustrating for her and affecting
her confidence, this added to the problems of caring for her.
After her family discussed these problems with the staff at the Age Concern Sheffield's
day centre she attends, Alice was encouraged to help support workers
and volunteers with some of the day-to-day tasks around the centre.
As a result of this Alice began to feel she was able to contribute again and not just be
looked after. Her confidence began to return as she felt she was helping to support the other
members of the day centre. This has reduced some of the pressures at home and her family feel more
able to cope. |
|
Carol
It was Carol's GP who originally put us in touch with her. She was living in very poor
conditions and struggling with her mobility following a series of falls. However she was afraid
that admitting she needed help would result in her being moved into permanent care.
We visited Carol and a number of issues quickly became apparent:
- Carol would benefit from additional equipment and adaptations to her property to
reduce the risk of future falls and help her manage with her limited mobility
- She needed a benefits check and new carpets as the old ones were worn and
hazardous
- Her flat was due to be refurbished but the tradesmen were refusing to enter Carol's
home because of the poor condition it was in.
- Carol was struggling to get her shopping and pension and to pay her bills.
Initially Carol didn't agree with our assessment and said that she was managing quite
well although she did agreed that an Age Concern Sheffield
support worker could visit because she liked to have company. Several visits later, once
she had got to know and trust the support worker, she agreed to her support plan.
Carol has needed constant reassurance and encouragement but a few months on we have:
- helped Carol claim attendance allowance;
- supported her to buy new carpets and have them fitted and to buy some new
furniture;
- arranged deep cleaning for her kitchen and bathroom which in turn has meant the
improvements to her home could be made;
- made referrals to the council's equipment and adaptations team as well as for ongoing
support for meals and medication;
- referred Carol to Citywide Alarms and to ACS CHOICE for ongoing help with shopping
and cleaning
Carol would now be the first to admit she's glad we persevered and persuaded her to
accept our support. |
