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Pinch and Grip Test

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5 years 5 months ago #219302 by L TUN
Pinch and Grip Test was created by L TUN
At my home f2f I had the Pinch and grip test. My grip is not good and frequently drop things. However, the assessor stated that my test was normal and that has meant that she disagreed with me and that she feels I can perform some of the daily element with the use of aids. I scored 11 daily and 10 mobility. I am going to go to MR. My question is... Will a further GP's letter to confirm my lack of grip be adequate for the MR. I also have cognitive problems with going to unfamiliar places in the going out section and never do this alone as my husband always drives, uses maps, SATNAV etc. It confuses me, getting my left and right mixed up, never knowing when to turn direction etc. I did have councelling and Medication 10 years ago and mindfullness help at the Pain Management Programme in 2012 which I told the assessor I use them both frequently to help with stress. I'm not on any medication for stress any more, only Amiltriptyline for sleep for my Fibromyalgia. The assessor says I have no "specialist imput", but I told her that I still use the CBT that I learned before. She did say that I did worry. Will a letter from My GP outlining this problem be sufficient for the MR as well. Thanks. Any advice would be wonderful for me.

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5 years 5 months ago #219311 by Fran58
Replied by Fran58 on topic Pinch and Grip Test
My accessor said I could grip but my doctor wrote a letter before to say I can’t , so went against doctor. Have you added up your points to see what you score ?

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5 years 5 months ago #219313 by Gordon
Replied by Gordon on topic Pinch and Grip Test
L TUN

Like most of the tests done by the assessor, the pinch and grip test is an indicator test it is not a definitive one, so passing the test does not mean that you have problems with your grip and failing does not mean that you don't. The reality for most is that they adequate grip until they don't!

Unfortunately, assessors and DMs place too much reliance on these types of test.

I think your GP letter would be supportive for you MR although I am not sure that the DM will have the imagination to understand this.

I'm afraid that I am less convinced that a letter about your problems with Following a Route will be of assistance, there appears to be no diagnosed cognitive problem or mental health issue and you are not receiving treatment for these, the CBT is likely to be seen as a coping mechanism and therefore actually argues against your problems.

That said, I would still submit the letter but I think you will need to go back to basics if you are to score for this activity.

Gordon

Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems

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5 years 5 months ago #219325 by L TUN
Replied by L TUN on topic Pinch and Grip Test
Hi Gordon. Thanks for your reply. For the going about on my own to unfamiliar places...I don't do...I don't like feeling that I don't know where I'm going....can't ask for directions as will get even more muddled and will get into a panic which can or may lead to an accident. I hope the DM can understand this and realise my position. When you say go back to basics can you please explain a bit more to me. Sorry if I'm being stupid but feel in a complete state of anxiety at the moment at the thought of losing my car on which I solely rely on to help get me out and about when I feel able. Thanks

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5 years 5 months ago #219327 by L TUN
Replied by L TUN on topic Pinch and Grip Test
Hi Fran58. Thanks for your help. I have my award letter and received 11 for care and 10 mobility. Assessor says grip is sufficient to use aids for my care part but I do not have good grip and do not use knives etc. Did you go on to MR and if so how did you get on?

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5 years 5 months ago #219330 by Gordon
Replied by Gordon on topic Pinch and Grip Test
L TUN

So first you need to make a decision about what Descriptors you are aiming for, ignoring the planning element, you have two choices which are mutually exclusive of each other, either you cannot Undertake a Journey or you are Unable to Follow a route.

You've only mentioned the latter so I will stick to it, there are three reasons why a claimant might have problems Following a Route; they have a sensory problem, perhaps they are blind, they have a cognitive problem such as a learning disability or they have a mental health issue as a result of which they would suffer "overwhelming psychological distress" while trying to follow the route.

For you to score you must attach your problems to one of these three primary causes.

If you go with cognitive issues then you need to show that you suffer these on the majority of days, that the problems are sufficient to cause impairment and that impairment affects your ability to follow or navigate a route.

Your difficulty will be that there appears to be no obvious cause for the cognitive issues, you don't mention a condition that would directly cause the problem or even something like a medication where it would it would a reasonable side-effect of your taking it. You need to find a way to deal with this.

Gordon

Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems

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