What is a pa and how to apply for one

[KHaynes]

Dear all.

I am writing because I think this is a well kept secret

After 20 years of OCD as a single parent finally someone came along to help me sort a few things out

This lady was an accountant and rights worker for people with disabilities

She still works but is now permanently hospitalised as she has Ms along with suffering due to abuse as a child and an accident at work

What a lovely kind funny amazing person.

First she taught me to accept I had a disability

Then she applied for DLA

Finally from what she had taught me I was able to apply for a pa first for my husband and then myself (I was a civil servant) so I can do forms...

So a long journey hopefully this will help some find a shortcut

The government prefer to keep costs low so any care at home instead of hospital is cheaper

This benefit is dealt with by your local council

First thing to do is contact someone

Social services will do the assessment but I would recommend talk to your Dr CPN or other professional

A pa may be qualified or may not.

Choose someone you get on with otherwise social services will appoint someone but it is up to you if you are ok with that.

They must get public liability insurance (cost around £60) for themselves

You will be asked what you need help with

I got it for my husband so I could have some free time as I was his full time carer so please let carers know about this too

Since my husband passed away I asked for help for myself

You may want someone to take you out (I don't drive) or go with you to appointments.

We clean the house together. Sometimes we do my paperwork.

We talk a lot because she is my friend. Sometimes I see no one else at all.

pa means personal assistant

So depending on who it is they can assist you with anything.

It sounds too good to be true

No one will tell you about a pa so you have to plead ignorance

Ask for help to do what you can't do yourself. You may have to be persistent.

Say you have heard of a pa

You may well be told it is not for you but they don't like people to tell them their job.

You will find online about it but different councils post different stuff

I wish I could speak to you all individually

If you have heard of one please post positive experiences or how you got round the system

Mine gets paid the going rate which is set by the council they will have to tell you what it is

If you have private income that will be assessed.

Partners income and savings not taken into account

You are supposed to open a dedicated account and keep a basic record

If you can't cope with this they will do payments

But try yourself if you can you do get support

I have mine six hours a week you can get more hours

I wanted to make this easy I really want to help you all

Please ask anything and please come back to me

So many of you are doing so much for others on here

This Is for you

YOU ARE WORTH IT

XXX

[paxo05]

Hi

Had mixed results with a p.a., have been having them for several years to enable my wife to go out to work.

Most have had little ecprrience which is actually a good thing. No preconcieved ideas. Although the last one just didnt turn up one day

Family and friends stepped in what we joped was a short temperary gap. As they are related I could not employ them , social services did not wish to know so I was left to my own devices.

It has now takem over seven months to get a new p.a. but I have been left to repay any money I have given to people who stepped in with support . This was to cover any out of pocket expenses. But because they are related I must now repay this money.

On the whole the experience has been good. The main thing when choosing a p.a. is how well you get on with them. Experience can be gained but personality cannot.

The one thing we have done is write a short "manual" on me so as to cover any issues that could arise. Anyone thinking of employing a p.a. just go on your gut feeling when interviewing if they dont seem right then they are not.

Hope this helps.

Pax

[Hidden]

Will ask

It could give Hazel a break

Thank you

BOB

[Hidden]

Nice if you can afford it. x

[KHaynes]

Have you been assessed then?

If you don't qualify there may be some help on the voluntary side I have not accessed this help I think you said you are retired

Age UK used to have volunteers sometimes with special needs who will do gardening

Or I have heard of companion friends I don't know what they are called volunteers who will go with you to cinema etc

Sometimes a small voluntary contribution is requested

I don't know but I have heard of these things

If you pm me your area. Will look into it further for you

I think you are lovely you remind me in your pic of the friend who helped me out

When you put up your list of 'excuses' it felt like I did when I first spoke to someone with OCD when she said she opened the door with her foot (to avoid touching it)

Yay we both do the same thing

Not cleaning the teeth oh shameful yay I do that too

Comforting to know we are not alone

Thank you for all your posting

Puts my life into perspective

K x