Extra bonus for those on DLA

That's brilliant, thanks for the heads up!

So that's another £10 for my mother in law to spend on cigarettes that gave her the COPD in the first place...............

Would you like a biscuit to dunk in your mug of judgement?

I wonder what it's for? My guess it's something to do with the 10p tax thing or some sort of fuel allowance.

Cool.

Is Carer's allowance what used to be Invalid Care Allowance does anyone know?

So my mum might get £120: £60 for brother's DLA and £60 for her ICA. Fabby, that'll make a huge difference.

R-A

Carers Allowance is indeed Invalid Carers Allowance. I used to get this for my mum.

Thanks for letting us know, I've called my mum to advise, so she said she'll book a flight over to visit me with the extra cash.

My comment was passed specifically in relation to my MIL, not to those in receipt of DLA in general. When I have to watch a 62 year old woman gasping for breath, using a whole ventolin inhaler every day, unable to walk more than 5 paces, but still smoking 40 a day, then I think I have every right to be judgemental and I say this to her face. It doesn’t only affect her, but I have to see tears running down my husband’s face as he begs her to give up smoking as she is killing herself.

So, yes please to that biscuit – and make it a chocolate one..........

But surely that's the nature of addiction - it's not so easy to give up. Maybe she wonders what the point is now she already has COPD? I don't see why you have the right to judge her tbh.

I know you didn't mean everyone one DLA.

Like Ginni says, she may wonder what the point is in stopping now or simply can't. 62 isn't old so I assume she can still can think clearly for herself and no matter how frustrating and upsetting it is to watch her continue to smoke, it really is her decision.

Blimey, she's using a whole ventolin inhaler a day... but still manages to smoke 40 cigarettes?

It's heartbreaking to watch my Mum (who has extremely bad asthma, has had all her life) struggle with the simpliest of tasks when her asthma is really bad. She struggles for breath as it is, let alone even be capable of smoking a cigarette.

I'm not saying you're fibbing, but are you sure your MIL isn't exgagerating a little smidge?

Hey, thanks for that! ?

The chemist refused to give me a repeat prescription for ventolin that she had ordered over the phone because she had received a delivery of 2 units less than 2 days previously and she had started to use the second unit the evening before. She breaks off mid smoke to use her inhaler (one of 3 she has).

Yes, smoking is an addiction.

Yes she has something to live for - her 2.5 year old grandaughter that she had longed for for years and even moved to Liverpool from Sheffield to be closer.

She actually gave up cigarettes for 4 months last year with the help of Champix tablets and her quality of life improved so much. She could play with my daughter and get about, do her own shopping and socialise. She started smoking again 3 weeks before xmas and already is withering before our eyes again. coughinh up gobfuls of phlegm into tissues.

So judge me for being judgemental - you have the right, just as much as I do.

Oooh fab that will be really helpful

MrsSW - my dad also has COPD (due to smoking) But he stopped smoking after he collapsed in a heap in the kitchen - the GP told him if he didnt stop he wouldnt see his grandchildren be born. That was in March 2005 and he has never smoked since. He went cold turkey after smoking 30+ a day for over 45 years. If he had continued smoking he would be dead by now. His COPD was diagnosed after he stopped smoking - looks like he had it for years but went undiagnosed as he was such a heavy smoker, we always put his coughing and short of breath down to the smokng (which it was really, as that caused the COPD)

I hope your mum gives up smoking and can enhance her life again by giving up the horrid addiction. I honestly don't know how your mum can smoke when she has COPD - my dad can hardly breathe at times (and can only was short distances)

Also - my dad has never applied for DLA, would this be classed as a disability? He is still working (refuses to give up) but really struggles walking any great distance. Does your family get any support? My mum really struggles with dad, she has no patience with him ☹️

(sorry for changing thread)

Nik

Nik,

You can work and still get DLA, its based on your ability to walk (mobility component) or look after yourself (care component) but you don't have to apply for both.

This might help

https://www.gov.uk/dla-disability-living-allowance-benefit

In leeds there is also support for carers, maybe ask your mum's GP? There are posters about it our Dr's surgery.

Thanks for that Eirwen - will take a look. He might not apply for it even if he is entitled to it - hes a bit pig-headed and refuses to admit hes ill, but will have a look and see. he wont be entitled to the care component (he can care for himself at the mo) but his mobility is awful - he really needs some help to make it easier for him to walk (even a disabled badge to get him closer to the shop would help!) but the GP just keeps putting his pain killers up instead of seeing what the actual problem is and getting aids to help him.

Thanks again

Nik

Nik sorry to hear that your Dad is suffering - it's my mother in law (if it was my own mother I would have locked her in a room and wouldn't let her out until she had given up!). She went onto higher rate DLA early last year when she got to the stage of not being able to walk unaided. We initially borrowed a wheelchair from the Red Cross and then she was given one through the NHS.