For the first time in over 20 years..

I'm truly scared of what lies ahead..

Even though we have not been contacted yet, and never had to take part in medicals or assessments for both ESA or DLA over the last 23 years of my husbands Alzheimer's and acute physical disability,and how they effect him,....For the first time in my life I am truly worried to death of explaining properly my husbands complex disabilities without a PDF to help me as I am a terrible writer and much as I try,cannot come to terms with word processing at all.

My hand are already so full of his 24/7 needs I am dreading having to wade through mountains of evidence,contact the GP again and again and coming up with enough words and feelings in hand writing explaining hubby's illness to satisfy the DWP yet again. It's making me so poorly and I am only able to write this as my hubby is full of medication and fast asleep. He turns 65 next year and I will probably have one shot at this PIP thing,whenever it does turn up. I'm not sure what I am actually asking for here,I cannot cope as it is and even when the Mental health turn up its only for an hour. My sister gives me a break now and then,but she too has a life to,lead. Alzheimer's is devastating illness only those who are close to it can fully contemplate or fully understand. To do it in handwriting,whilst looking after hubby,without a spell check or real break is going to be a nightmare.


I'm just so afraid and fell so alone.

Hi Noodles,

I'm sorry that this is having such a bad effect on you

It might be that your local Age UK, Alzheimer's group or even council will have someone who can help with the forms.

If you do have to complete them yourself, there is no need to handwrite all the information, ESA has a PDF version of the form. PIP does not but there is nothing to stop you using a computer and producing all answers on aditional sheets of paper. These sheets should then be attached to the back of the PIP form.

As an aside - have you had a carer's assessment from Social Services? Does your husband attend Day Centre or have a sitter so that you get some time off?

Hellers HB,long time no speaky.

I think I know what you mean regarding the computer help...than you for that idea. With regards to the Carers assessment,yes,we had one of those some time ago and get updated visits every year . Day centre visit is out of the question as hubby cannot communicate properly with other people due to his inability to understand a conversation due to his cognitive ability being vastly reduced due to his Alzheimer's. The only respite I get is once a year when my brother takes care of hubby in his caravan which also has disabled facilities for a few days but even then,I have to visit hubby before he falls asleep as he cannot cope with new faces or surroundings for very long as it sends him into panic mode. The amount of medication he takes now means he is drowsy for long periods of time,but unable to self medicate as he forgets or simply cannot reach the medication due to mobility issues. It's a go sent really as he once almost over dosed by mistake.


Sorry to be a pain B&W..

Would your hubby tolerate a sitter coming to your home, maybe if you were there for the first few visits?

Have you seen the Alzheimer Society website and forum? I am finding them very helpful (my mother has dementia).

Hello again,

The Alzheimer's society have been helpful as we contacted them in July. They have given me info,help and suggestions regarding hubby. Re a sitter,unfortunately, as I explained to the Alzheimer's society and AS,hubby's mood swings and deppression sometimes make him slightly aggressive now so not sure about new faces in the home just yet as they upset him sometimes. A Combination of strong Opiots meds for his chronic pain (Oxycontin) also his memory (Memantine) and his depression in the form of (Duloxetine) make hubby very unstable at times both mentally and physically .

So nice to share this with someone btw.

Have another question.

If hubby has not been 'invited' to transfer from DLA to PIP by Hubby's 65th next August,will it then be too late for him to be transfed from DLA to PIP????