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Money for getting around
- By jackied
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Sun 21 Jun 2009 13:26
My Mother is registered blind, she is 82yrs old, the only reason she is not living with me at the moment is that she feels I have enough on my plate, as my 22yr old son is severe Autistic.
She lives 120 miles away from me, and I worry a lot about her, she is very proud, and will not ask for help.
My question is can she get any help with money to get around, have received forms from DWP but only about help in the home. She wont have any of that, she needs money for Taxi's. very expensive for her. She does get on buses which worries me, as she cant read the number and destination, a couple of times ended up on wrong buses, not knowing how to get back home. Also when she has to attend hospitals she only gets short notice, so can't get the patient transport as 1 months notice is needed.
Attending the hospital costs £20 in Taxi fair, and on many occations has to return for another appointment within a fortnight.
Any ideas greatfully received.
Begged her to come live with me and my son, but David is a handfull, not me I'm thinking of, but the stress it might cause my Mother living with him.
Replies
- By trinipepper
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Re: Money for getting around
Sun 21 Jun 2009 13:47Hey Jackied,Your mother will NOT get money handed to her on a plate but due to age and circumstances,she will be granted services that are freely available.
Any hospital or doctor appointment she has, will provide free transport.
If she needs shopping for the home and is unable to do this efficiently,she can be assessed and will either have a worker to accompany her or do it on their own.
If your mother does not have a social or care worker,you need to go to your nearest CAB or call Adult Social Care and demand one.
Help is available for these issues and stigmas and attitudes need to take a back seat.
- By jackied
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Re: Money for getting around
Mon 22 Jun 2009 07:38Surely there must be something?
A friends son who has sight problems gets the benefit low rate mobility (help for getting around about £15 per week,) so why not someone actually registered blind. My Mother is a very independant person, and copes admirably inside her home, just needs Taxis to go out and about, so not trying to cross main roads to get to bus stops or getting on the wrong buses.
She wont ask people anymore, as she has had very rude comments back, when she asked someone what time it was, the normal comment time you got a watch, and when asking what number bus was at the stop was told get some glasses.
Another comment made by someone was, at her age she shouldn't be let out on her own.
She is full of energy and at 82 can out walk me anytime, and has a razer sharp mind, she has Dry Macular.
- By Lynn
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Re: Money for getting around
Mon 22 Jun 2009 09:41Jackied I had a nosey round the RNIB websie and here is a link for older people and money issues.
Unfortunately the mobility component of DLA cannot be claimed if you are over 65 but there is Attendance Allowance and Pension Credits. Don't let the forms put you off, you just have to be 'creative' when filling them in and AA does have an element for older people getting around.
- By Lynn
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Re: Money for getting around
Mon 22 Jun 2009 09:43Sorry I meant to also say that most Counties have a Blind Association with staff who would offer advice and help fill in the forms so its worth asking them too.
- By jackied
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Re: Money for getting around
Mon 22 Jun 2009 16:09Thanks for that Lynn,
Mum has had the Blind ass around to see her, but only for white stick etc.
Have now contacted there help line from that site, and they are going to send a rep to fill in forms with her.
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