Do severely sight impaired people get regular ongoing help from social services?

[Sound_system]

Hi guys. My wife was registered as blind in 2017 in her 30's. Her vision in one eye is gone all together and the other is very poor. She can just about manage to read with a magnifying glass.

I'm trying to figure out if she can qualify for regular help from a personal assistant funded by social care.

Is this something that other people have any experience with?

My wife's has other disabilities too as she is a wheelchair user and has some brain issues too.

But I'm just trying to get in touch with other visually impaired people to guage what kind (if any) assistance they get from adult social care?

[Sima1952]

Hi Sound_system,

I think it maybe down to which County you live in. I live in Hertfordshire and when l started to lose the sight in my other eye - having lost 80% in my left a year earlier - the Sensory Team contacted, paid a visit to see what l needed etc. and were very helpful.

Unless anyone comes up with a better alternative l would phone your County Council and speak to the Social Service department.

Best of luck.

Sally

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[Sound_system in reply to Sima1952]

Thank you for replying. What kind of help did you get? Did you need ongoing assistance from carers/personal assistants?

[Sima1952 in reply to Sound_system]

Initially just advice about lighting, products that would help with regards to cooking; then after a couple of falls, the Council fixed an extra bannister on the staircase, 3 sets of brighter lights on the staircase plus handrails in the bathroom. So far - touch wood - l haven't had to have any personal care as such.

Sorry l didn't get back to you yesterday. just out of interest which county do you live in, as they all seem to have different "care packages".

Sally

[Sound_system in reply to Sima1952]

Thank you. We live in West Yorkshire. My interest is particularly on the needs that a blind or severely sight impaired person has; rather than what different councils offer.

Under the care act, needs aren't based on location. Well they shouldn't do, but as you know it's a post code lottery type situation.

I'm in the process of putting in a complaint about my wife's care needs not being met.

If you imagine a person with 3 serious disabilities of sight impaired, paralysis and cognitive issues. So far I feel most of her needs are met by me rather than by the adult social care. This is putting a strain on our relationship and on our kids too. They are only 5 and 3.

[Sima1952 in reply to Sound_system]

I'm probably going completely up the wrong tree here; l may add that l am sight impaired - blind in one eye and about 50% (tunnel vision) in my "good" eye which is now growing a cataract!

Sorry to hear that your wife's issues are putting a strain on your marriage, how long has she been like this and is one of her illnesses Vasculitis?

I put in to Goggle .... England, needs that a blind or severely sight impaired person has, and it came up with this, along with other info.

Benefits and grants

You may be able to claim financial support if you have a macular condition. The main benefits are: Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payment, Employment Support Allowance, Tax credits, Access to Work, Disabled Students' Allowances, Attendance Allowance and Blind Person's Allowance.

Have you spoken to CAB, they can be very helpful and may suggest where you can get help / solutions etc.

Sally