The Decision Makers' Guide - Alternatives to Attention or Supervision

Chapter 61 -Attendance Allowance and DLA care component -Alternatives to Attention or Supervision

 

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The need for attention or supervision may be reduced or removed by practical solutions. These may be in the form of an aid, or appliance, or some other measure.

Example 1

Someone who needs help to use the toilet because of difficulty climbing stairs may be able to use a commode downstairs unaided.

Example 2

Someone who needs help getting out of bed at night to take medication may not need that help if the medication were to be placed by the bedside.

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Although items may be available to reduce the effects of a person’s disability, the DM must decide whether it is

1. reasonable

and

2. practicable for that disabled person to obtain and use them

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It is also essential to consider the consequences of any suggested solution. The DM should seek advice from Medical Services where it is not clear that an item is medically appropriate. It may be necessary to seek further evidence about the claimant’s home circumstances, for example from the carer.