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hi there
i was wondering if there is any help with grant or low loans i had my first hp stroke in september my second in october lost speech and all my right side plus my mouth dropped right side my right side is still effected i cant carry or lift things i need new bits could anyone help me on this please i need bed cooker and washing machine i dont know where to turn for help dwp r doing nothing as i was told about bugeting loans but im still paying of a few from some time about anyone got any ideas thank u so much x
House insurance
Hi there,
I wonder if anyone can advise me please.
My mum had a stroke about a year ago and basically spent 3 months in hospital and then 9 months in a care home.
She has moved back into her house now (with care coming in twice a day), but while it was vacant we got a specialist unoccupied house insurance policy.
Her insurance is up for renewal in May, but since her house is no longer unoccupied and the specialist insurance is expensive, we wanted to see about getting her back on "normal" buildings and contents house insurance.
She is physically pretty good for her age (87) and is mobile, but since the stroke she is not quite as with it as she once was and has communication problems (Aphasia). Although we haven't had any issues so far, this unfortunately means that she less likely to be able to respond to an emergency in her home that she once was.
I just wondered how this would affect her in terms of getting buidlings and contents insurance. I assume that we would probably need to declare details of her condition when applying for insurance, but I hope this is not going to be a barrier to her getting insurance or mean that she will have to pay a high premium.
Probably worth mentioning that since mum does have communication issues, we would be applying for the insurance on her behalf.
Thanks in advance.
Dave
I'm not sure why you would
I'm not sure why you would need to declare anything but have a look at Saga for insurance as they are experienced in this area and were very helpful with travel insurance for my husband where other companies wouldn't cover him (I have no connection with Saga). Does your Mum have a 'lifeline' button - certainly the company that my Mum had hers from offer support for any eventuality, worth considering if your Mum is infirm. Hope that helps.
Deleted posts
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As you may notice we have deleted a post because it breached the forum's terms and conditions. Our TalkStroke moderators are checking each section of TalkStroke once a day, so we aim to delete/edit any posts that are not in line with the forum's terms and conditions on a daily basis.
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Unfortunately these genuine comments have been deleted in error when the first post was deleted. Please accept our apologies for this mistake - we will try to make sure that this does not happen again, but thank you once more for your posts.
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Censorship
I and others offered constructive criticism regarding the ruination of talk stroke
And have been censored for the second time please delete my membership as the site is no longer useable
Roy
Rubbish
When are you going to get a grip on the spam and rubbish that blights this once excellent site.whoever ruined this site should be sacked roy
do not like new site
wheres the old one it was much better not been on in a while and then i get this i do not like it why fix somthing thats not broken i feel old one was eaiser to use and more plain for people in our conditionto put in 1 word not a good site now
Spam
Dear Topfish
Thank you for your post. We are sorry to read that you are unhappy with the site. There have been a number of changes in the last few months, some of which have been very positive and others that we are working hard to improve. You feedback is always welcome so thank you for taking the time to give it to us.
As you will see we have deleted the post in question as it broke the forums terms and conditions. Our TalkStroke moderators are checking each section of TalkStroke once a day, so we aim to delete or edit any posts that are not in line with the forum's terms and conditions on a daily basis. I am sorry that we have missed the one you highlighted to us. We will try to make sure this does not happen again.
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TalkStroke Moderator
car
my name is joanne and live in the yorkshire area. i have a stroke when i was born and i now aged 27 and was thinking about getting a car. i am not entilted to any help from benefit and would need to car to be adapted and don't where to go and would like to know if anyone has any advise for me
Thanks
Car
Why are you not entitled to government help like me you had a disabling stroke at an early age and thus will require ongoing help and support for a considerable time.
Seems to me you have already lost a considerable amount of help so do not be put off now even if the government is playing hardball with our entitlements because it is they that are breaking every law but we have the backing of the EU and they are being investigated.
HI JOANNE
SO SORRY ABOUT YOUR STROKE, YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO CLAIM BENEFITS ESPECIALLY IF YOU NEED A CAR TO BE ADAPTED FOR YOUR USE..
CHECK IT OUT WITH A WELFARE OFFICER.. SORRY CANT GIVE INFO ON ADAPTED CARS...
What adaptations you need
What adaptations you need will depend on your level of impairment.
The first step would be to obtain a provisional licence (I am assuming you dont have a licemce).
There should be a Disability Driving Assessment Centre somewhere near you. They will tell you what adaptations you need and should help you to find a driving instructor
There are many companies who will supply and fit adaptations to cars.
One place to start would be NAIDEX, the Motability roadshow or the Mobilise roadshow. These all include car manufacturers and adaptation companies and you can usually testdrive any car you are interested in.
Good luck
Janet
expenses
hi it was my understanding that u can mke a claim for charges relating to nhs expenses, i think there is a certain"health" form to complete, it covers bus fares parking petrol etc for those on low incomes, check out yur local benefits office who shud b able to tell u lyn
Power of Attorney
Hello
My dad is in hospital after a stroke in a coma like state. He has been like this since the 6th June. Does anybody have any advice about power of attorney? I welcome any information.
Thank you
Power of Attorney
Since the Power of Attorney is needed now, rather than being arranged in advance, the matter is rather expensive. Talk to the Office of the Public Guardian about this.
Finances
You don't need power of attorney it's deputy ship and you don't need to go to a solicitor you can download the forms yourself from the office of public guardian, solicitors are expensive and not any quicker. One of the forms is for a Dr to say he does not have capacity to deal with his finances because he's in a coma, he can take many weeks to come through, so start ASAP. Also your dad could be looked after at home if there's good family support, if he qualifies for NHS continuing care they can provide Carers at home - good luck remember solicitors very expensive, it's ridiculous what they charge for a few form filling
HI
GOOGLE POWER OF ATTORNEY...
IT WILL GIVE YOU GUIDANCE AND POSSIBLE FEES...
SOLICITORS DO ENCOURAGE POWER OF ATTORNY..
COURT PROTECTION ORDERS ARE NORMALLY FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE NOBODY TO APPLY FOR POWER OF ATTORNY..
EVEN MY FRIENDS MUM MADE HER TAKE THESE POWERS, ALTHOUGH SHE IS OLD THERE IS NOTHNG WRONG WITH HER...
THEY WILL NEED PROOF OF HER LIVING IN HER HOME,SUCH AS BILLS WITH HER NAME AND ADDRESS..
IF SHE GOES INTO RESIDENTIAL CARE, THE SOCIAL SERVICES ,AT THE COUNCIL OFFICES WILL TAKE OVER FOR YOU...
AND ITS ALL DONE ABOVE BOARD, ESPECIALLY IF THEY OWN THEIR OWN HOME...
MY DEAR MUM OWNED HER OWN HOME, SHE ONLY NEEDED TO SIGN A DOCUMENT AND SHE HAD MOMENTS OF CLEAR THINKING..AND THE SOLICITOR DID THE REST...
SOUNDS SCARY BUT ITS NOT THAT BAD..
THELMA..
YES I HAVE DONE THIS BEFORE.
GO IMMEDIATLY TO A SOLICITOR AND SAY IT URGENT YOU NEED POWER OF ATTORNEY...
THEY WILL GIVE YOU FORMS TO FILL OUT,
ITS PRETTY STRAIGHT FORWARD.
FIRSTLY SHOP AROUND FOR THE PRICE OF SOLICITOR,,
ALTHOUGH IT DOESNT COST THAT MUCH IT BETTER.
BUT GET THESE FORMS DONE SOON.. ITS IMPORTANT.
EXPLAIN THE SITUATION....
Making decisions for someone else
Hi Chay, My mum had a severe stroke a month ago and at the moment is inconsistent with the yes & no signals she uses therefore lacks the capacity to make her own decisions, and so I've been looking into how I can ensure her finances etc are dealt with too.
In cases such as ours Power of Attorney wouldn't be deemed appropriate as our parent would be unable to sign or agree to the document. What we are supposed to do is apply to the Office of Public Protection to become a Deputy. There are several different types of order so I've posted a few links below with further information.
Unfortunately this is a laborious and extremely expensive process, costing £100 to register an application and £400 to actually make the application with further fees annually and other fees if you require legal help with it all.. The forms are complicated and you lose your registration fee if they are incorrect in any way and have to re-submit with a further £100.
There are fee remissions for those on a low income, and they can be recovered from the stroke victim, unfortunately I fall a miniscule amount above the earnings limit which doesn't take mortgage etc into account and I don't think it's right to be assuming I can take around £600 from my mother even if she does have that much.
I do hope you are in a better position. Currently I'm terrified that my mother will be evicted for non-payment of rent and rack up charges and interest on bank accounts because financially I can't afford to pay her bills 'nor can I afford this application.
If you, or anyone, finds out or knows any way around this or of any help with it all, then please let me know. I'm already having problems paying the petrol for visiting hospital (A 60 mile round trip plus parking charges) every day let alone anything else.
Links:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Governmentcitizensandrights/Mentalcapacityan...
http://www.justice.gov.uk/protecting-the-vulnerable/mental-capacity-act/...
Regards
Karen
FEES
GO TO CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU...
THESE ABOVE CHARGES ARE TERRIBLE.
THERE MUST BE A BETTER WAY AROUND THIS.
I TOOK POWER OF ATTORNEY 5 YEARS AGO MY PARENT HAD DEMENTIA.. AND IT DEFINATLY DIDNT COST THAT MUCH AND IT WAS STRAIGHT FORWARD..
BEWARE OF COSTLY SOLICITOR... SHOP AROUND,ALSO USE AGE CONCERN.. GIVE THEM A RING AND ASK FOR THEIR ADVICE..
HOPE THIS HELPS.
Financial Issues
Hello Karen
Im just wondering if you have managed to sort anything out with this yet. I am in a very similar position - my mother had a stroke 7 weeks ago - she is very confused and at times aggressive. I have no access to her bank account as prior to the stroke she was independant. Like you - the bills are rising and whilst I coped for the first month it is now becoming a worry. On her lucid days she asks about her pension - she was like many elderly people a creature of habit - when I say its all safe in the bank she wants me to get it out like she used to - its very hard to explain to her I cant do that and its such a sensitive area - I dont feel comfortable talking about money to her on her lucid days as it seems so inappropriate. She is likely to be in hospital for several weeks / months and will possible need care thereafter. So if you or anyone else does have any advice it would be much appreicated.
YOUR MUM
AGAIN, AGE CONCERN HAVE ADVICE AND A SOCIAL WORKER SHOULD BE ABLE TO GIVE YOU ADVICE..I UNDERSTAND YOU.
I can see that both of you
The contents of this post have been removed because they breach the terms and conditions of the TalkStroke forum.
Kind regards,
TalkStroke Moderator
Let's chat
Hi Dave
Thanks for your comments. Would be really happy to have a further chat with you - please drop me a line via http://www.stroke.org.uk/contact - if this is helpful.
Best
Patrick
Campaigns Manager
Stroke Association
debt's
hving had massive cva in 2002 and the break-up of my relationship with my partner i found myself with debt's totalling close to 20 thousand pounds, being in receipt of a sm occupational pension has been more of a hindreacne than a help(as so many services are"means-tested" it was only last week by sheer chance i met some support workers who are from a local charity and are going to help me with debt money and budgetting(i hve never at any other time in the past been offered this kind of help yet wen i was discharged from rehab i was unable to remember wat day it was let alone handle my finances(and i hve little to no family/friends help) tbh often the issues with money hve been harder for me to cope with than the disabilities caused by my stroke, no i didnt ASK for help prev(other than from social worker) but i didnt know WHO to ask, surely i am not alone and anyone self-employed at time of stroke wud hve similar problem's? social services hve been very quick to charge me for my 21hrs weekly care yet at no time hve ever realised how hard things were for me, in uk discussion around money is a sensitive subject(on par with say death mayb) but the very fact that ss charge for cae gves them an opportunity to find out and establish yur situation at the time i stroke i was a team manager a a major insurance company and on a very gd salary, like many pple in uk i had lots of things on credit(and banks were practically throwing money at me) yt wen i became unable to pay i was very badly treated(espec by the credit card companies) there must b a way that finances are something that is looked at at time of stroke to ensure those that need help get it? llyn
Debts and stroke
Dear countrygirl
This is Patrick - I head up Campaigns and Policy team for Stroke Association. How you doing?
This is also my very first ever post on TalkStroke - so hope you'll all excuse any mistakes.
Your situation sounds really difficult and I am sorry you are having problems. Stroke can have huge financial impacts (as well as emotional and physical ones) as you have shown.
We are pulling together a new report on the crippling financial impact of stroke later this year and it would be great to have a further chat with you. Would this be ok? Drop me your contact details via the form on this page - http://www.stroke.org.uk/contact/general
Best
Patrick
Campaigns and Policy Manager
Stroke Association
debts
Hi, Countrygirl. I'm sorry to hear of your financial problems.I agree with you entirely - the systems are in place to collect money, but not to pay it out.
I agree with all you've said about the lack of help and support, either from local social services and benefits advisers at a time when we are in a difficult position needing support and guidance. A bit of support at an early stage could prevent very distressing consequences which are no aid to recovery.
It concerns me that our national charity was very slow in pitching in to the arguments on the benefit changes at a national level. I also remember reading distressing messages from stroke survivors facing very difficult situations at the time the changes to the benefit system were first introduced. It was not at all clear SA staff had offered any specific help.
I know this site is for 'survivors' to share experiences, but professional experience is valid too.
I found some time ago that through the SA you could get specific and detailed benefit's advice through a link to the Disability Benefits Alliance. This was not well publicised at the time (I was being advised by SA to contact Citizen's Advice). I have just had a look at the DBA site and they seem now to take requests for help directly. If you feel you need help beyond that from your local charity, or to get a second opinion, I'd try the DBA site.
I wish you luck.
Dave
dba?
hi dave wat is dba pls? i had some sgot term support from another local chairty(stonham homestay) who exsat to ensure pple can where possible remain in their own home my support worker was unaware stroke is a brain injury and usually supports pple on benefits, druggies and alcoholic's, she was constant in her opinion i hve a gd income, v gd compred to many, but it isnt luck i worked my guts out for my pension(had i not i may not hve been here) and income is irrelevant if u hve high outgoings i wont mention specific's but know at least one stroke survior and his wife hve had to go bankrupt(i believe he was self-employed wen stoked) pension-wise id b far better off without(i took it as income as was trying to pay mortgage)my local council being of no help as i owned a property, had i knowm how badly id b penalised id hve tken the all in lump sum and blown it on holidays etc lyn
Deleted post
Dear BillyPainter
Your post has been deleted because it broke the forums terms and conditions.
Kind regards
TalkStroke Moderator
Countrygirl, am in a similar
Countrygirl, am in a similar position to you having worked for 30 years after stroke and earned a modest pension. I think life is getting harder for everyone at the moment - except the very rich! As I understand it, Disability Benefit Alliance is a grouping of disability charities who join together to campaign, offer advice, etc. See http://www.disabilityalliance.org for more info. When I contacted them, they were able to give very specific advice based on my current income.
Hope that helps.
Dave
Hi Dave, Patrick - Campaigns
Hi Dave,
Patrick - Campaigns Manager at Stroke Association. Hope you are well.
Just wanted to drop you a line re the Association's lobbying on benefits. This has been (and remains) an active area of campaigning for us. On this very complicated area we have been working in coalitions and two are worth mentioning:
1) The Disability Benefits Consortium - http://www.disabilityalliance.org/dbc2.htm
2) Hardest Hit - http://thehardesthit.wordpress.com/
Through these coalitions, as well as direct lobbying with the Department of Work and Pensions we have worked to:
1) Highlight how poorly the Work Capability Assessment recognises the impact of stroke. There has been a huge amount of behind the scenes work ongoing here from the Association. In this quite technical work, we were helped by leading stroke clinicians to influence the WCA. This is far from sorted - but DWP are aware of the concerns of stroke survivors.
2) Play our part in overturning successfully the planned abolition of Disablility Living Allowance (mobility component)
3) Brought stroke survivors to the national Hardest Hit Marches.
Please be assured this is an ongoing area of concern for us - but I acknowledge we need to do better to share what we are doing (and I will take this on board). Please leave a response if you'd like to chat further.
Best
Patrick
Campaigns and Policy Manager
Stroke Association
Patrick,thanks for that.
Patrick,
thanks for that. It's good to see a response from SA staff - particularly to see the offer of direct help to countrygirl, who I'm sure is very capable of sorting her own problems, but there are times when a bit of expert knowledge helps.
I'm aware of the campaigns. I was concerned when the WCA was proposed and introduced that the SA was slow in getting involved. The CAB carried out very interesting work assessing early trials and their report made very sound general points. Disability Charities including those connected with mental health produced their own reports which raised specific concerns. Some of the issues they raised were relevant to stroke too, but I'm not aware that point was made then. At the time, I contacted SA to suggest a link with the CAB and a 'stroke interpretation' of their data. I was told efforts were being put towards the campaign on the long term effects, which was then to be launched in some months. I felt the issue which was very live to those of us on benefits was not being given an appropriate level of priority by the SA. The SA did not seem able, or willing to respond to stroke survivors concerns.
When the SA report describing the long term poverty of stroke survivors was issued, an example of someone who risked losing his house because of a reassessment of his benefits was used in the publicity. I spoke to that individual and learnt that despite his case being being used, he received no help from the SA with resolving his housing problem. He personally had no issue, but it left me wondering for whom the SA is there.
That report, carried out by one of the London University colleges, (from my poor memory, costing £167000). I wondered at the time about the need to spend such sums when a similar argument could have been developed by talking to stroke survivors. I noticed in the then current accounts submitted to the charity commission, the intention to increase the number of stroke clubs (here again round numbers from a poor memory) from around 250 to 300, but then the SA discovered that 50 of the 250 no longer existed. This suggested to me that the SA does not have close enough contact with the community it pupports to serve.
Gripe over. These are historical events now. It will be good to see, as you suggest, more evidence of SA's activities, to see closer consultation on issues and individuals who voice specific personal concerns being given direct help and advice.
I am just finding out about
I am just finding out about the means testing bit - my mum, after her stroke, has been advised to move to 'extra care housing' with my dad, this is council run and so would mean selling their own home - by doing this they would then be liable to pay all care costs which I believe will be up to £14,000 per year, whithin a very short time they will have nothing left! My dad is still fit and healthy and if he outlives my mum then he will have nothing to enjoy his retirement with and will be stuck in a flat that he doesn't want to be in and an area he doesn't want to be in.
There seems to be no way round this and it's so bloody unfair - my dad has worked so hard all his life and now the prospects for him are so bleak - he can't continue in own home as mum just too hard to care for so what's the alternative? I am not trying to get them out of paying anything but feel half the money from the house should be for my dads care but instead he will be expected to fund mums care until it is virtually all gone.
The social worker suggested he could look at buying a property in a few years if her condition improves - he replied 'what with' it will all be gone by then!
Selling home - no
Get another social worker - your parents don't have to sell their home, stay where they are and get stair lift or move bed downstairs, and get Carers in 4 x daily, get equipment in commodes, wheelchair, lifeline, incontinence pads, volunteer support, loads of help out there for Carers like your dad, google all options, alternatively let them move in with you get extension with sale of their house or biggar house then you don't lose your inheritance you can still get Carers in if they live with you - check out NICE guidelines for stroke
hi
karem kist in case u ned it im at ******* lyn xxxx
Personal contact details
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facebook?
karen in absence of pm and fact u used to not b allowed to put personal mail address here will say ive facebook acct first name u know last mitchell i live norwich norfolk happy to spk there or msge lyn
fb
have you ever realised how common your name is lol?!!!!!! there are several hundred on fb!
Unfortunately my name would bring up even more hits!
Bizarrely though I think you came up on twitter straight away?!! you got a pic on fb?
hi
karen yes know where yur coming from and agree! i too hve no issue with paying towards my care only that i KNOW thoase who are sitting on their fat *rses claiming benefits will not hve to(for them it'll b free) like yur dad ive worked hard all my life(40yrs) and ws sensible enough to provide for wat i thought wud b an enjoyable retirement(travel mayb) am now penalised for it i sold my flat in 2009 partly as cud no longer afford mortgage prtly cos i knew at sometime the vultures wud want it! i took my pension as income to enable me to support myself(my local council not interested as i was owner/occupier) had i known wat i know now i wud hve had a lump sium and nlown the lot on holidays etc, cos of pension i dont get any help other than my disability benefit(which oddly to me doesnt alow help with dental or eyecare) imo there seems to b a total lack of care in finances/living standars of those disabled i was told prev by a support worker that i hve a gd income so why shud i hve help?(but as i said to her the majority of it goes out on debt and bills so i dont get to enjoy it, wen i needed a new mattress i was unable to afford it she said she only had access to charities for alkies and drug ddicts(figures doesnt it really? hope mum ok since u hve her home lyn