My friend who has progressive Lung condition LAM, has been called in for her PIP assessment, on a Sunday no less! Wondering if anyone can give info on what this may involve, she has asked me to go with her, as going out on her on is very difficult.
Any info much appreciated.
Should get letter of doctor say to ill make them come to here home
Pip is all about care you receive its not about ya illness they dont give two hoots really
Tell her to do nothing and she cant use her phone as shakes walking well if have to hold walls take time
The like to check ya shoes for stones so dont take coat of or roll trousers up say ya carer is not there to help but tell em to help them self and sit there do nothing but twitch
My assessor came to the house asked about what I could do and what I needed help with based on questions sent with original form I.e can't cook cos fingers can't grip due to mild osteo arthritis so hubby cooks, hubby washes my hair and helps me in and out of bath, he carries everything, shopping, ironing etc... Due to sob. Can't cook cos on oxygen. Get anxious going anywhere in case oxy doesn't last or only go out of the house with hubby couple of times a week, he checked my fingers ( which at the time were swollen and painful, couldn't grip) he checked my knees I.e asked me to stand on one leg lifting other as high as I could, again cos of OA) really describing what I can't do on worst days e.g get up wash, dress do what I have to do upstairs and then go downstairs so I don't have to go upstairs again till bedtime, good luck, my assessor was lovely, kind and patient, do tell them everything about any illness' on top of breathing probs x
I just had my assessment at home to my surprise as I had not requested it. Try to get the assessor to come to her house. The anxiety about going out is very important. When she is asked to do the physical things she just says that she can't. The whole point is that these assessors have to write a report which shows those who make the decision that your condition affects your personal independance. The decision makers have no medical training or experience. Even if your friend has nobody to help her with things like washing her hair, bathing, preparing food it does not mean that she does not need the help. She needs to emphasise how painful everything is, how long it takes and how exhausted everything leaves her. Don't forget that if she can walk 50 yards that is 25 yards out and 25 yards back, with a lot of anxiety about managing to get back. I don't use public transport because I get too breathless to get on and off, don't know where to find the access points and get anxious about getting lost. I hope I have given the right ideas. She mustn't be brave about how she copes. Anyting she uses in the house to help her do things counts as an adaptation.. Good luck.xx
20 metres is the walk distance now. Used to be 50 metres in severe discomfort. It is important that you do not try and underplay the situation. If you cannot do something and they insist tell them you cannot do it.
Good Luck
Many thanks to everyone so far for all their advice, This is a wonderful site where people really do care about each other
Hi Footyfan, I would agree with everyone on here if anything your friend does causes pain, breathlessness, tiredness, mental distress or worsens their illness then for benefit purpose they cannot do it. For example I have a hand tremor so doing fine movements with my hands worsens the shakes so I spill things which means I cannot do things normally like others so entitles me to points for benefit purpose. If your friend cannot go out alone for what ever reason then they should be assessed at home. However that might mean a longer wait, so better to go while your able to attend with them to get it sorted as soon as possible. Emotional stress is supposed to be considered too by the assessors. Good luck to your friend
PIP assessment 
Just had my pip assessment 
PIP Assessment 
PIP assessment
PIP ASSESSMENT
