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PIP descriptor - Managing Treatments

Hello,
I have a PIP query, if someone can answer it, please.
I have a PIP query, if someone can answer it, please.
I have Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, which is the progressive lung disease that causes breathing problems and limits my daily functions, mobility, etc.
I need to do Pulmonary Rehabilitation exercises, but there are no classes in my area. COPD sufferers go to these for supervision, prompting or assistance to do these exercises. as they are tiring and cause further breathlessness, etc
I need to do Pulmonary Rehabilitation exercises, but there are no classes in my area. COPD sufferers go to these for supervision, prompting or assistance to do these exercises. as they are tiring and cause further breathlessness, etc
My doctor has stated in a support letter that I have been advised to do regular home-based therapeutic exercises (of up to 3.5 hours weekly), as part of my Pulmonary Rehabilitation program to try to help my degree of breathlessness and to limit the progression of my COPD
I have already stated that I find the exercises difficult to do as they cause me further breathlessness and discomfort, and I am put off from doing them. So I am not motivated to do them at home unless I receive prompting, encouragement, etc
However, a PIP assessor has stated that I am able to undertake daily exercises at home, so has given me 0 points for Managing Treatments - despite me stating the above.
Now, am I correct that these home-based therapeutic exercises count as being part of the need to manage therapy descriptor, as below, and the reasons I have given above show I need prompting to do them? - which should be worth 2 points?
Q5. Managing Treatments
c. Needs supervision, prompting or assistance to be able to manage therapy that takes no more
than 3.5 hours a week
regards
Replies
Have you attended a formal pulmonary rehabilitation programme, for your COPD?
As you are taught these exercises, as you have stated, COPD is very much about self managing your condition.
Have you got someone at home to prompt and support you?
It sounds like the assessor has no clue about your condition and what you have to do.
My wife has COPD, she has to go through her exercises on a daily basis and I assist and support her.
regards
Try this for size.
This is from the PIP guide for assessment providers.
"2.1.18
The assessment does not look at the availability of help from another person, but rather the underlying need.
As such claimants may be awarded discriptors for needing help even if it not currently available to them.
For example, if they currently manage in a way that is unreliable, but with some help they could complete the activity reliably."
So you'r relative's phone prompts are covered.
In an ideal world having someone at your side, would be great.
Alas we live in the real world.
Hope this helps.
Yes, that is most helpful - many thanks.
It sounds like I have a case, so I am going to follow through and appeal.
regards