Which descriptor?

Becboo

Hi there

I'd like some advice please about orthotics. I wear an upper body orthotic to hold my shoulder in it's socket and support it. I cannot get it on alone (an able bodied person couldn't either). Would this come under needing assistance to manage therapy, or dressing the upper body? 

Thank you =D

poppy123456

In my opinion it doesn't apply to either of those activities. Do you need assistance to dress at all?

Becboo

Yes I need help to dress my upper body. The orthotic improves muscle tone, surely that's therapy? 

Becboo

manage therapeutic activities that are carried out in a domestic setting that are prescribed or recommended by a registered doctor, nurse, pharmacist or healthcare professional regulated by the Health Professions Council. 

Does this not apply? 

calcotti

Orthotic is neither medication, nor therapy. An orthotic is an aid. What you should be doing is referring to the orthotic as an aid that you need to carry out all the activities which you would not be able to carry out without it. 

There is no PIP descriptor that covers the fitting of the orthotic, however you may wish to refer to the process of fitting it as additional information.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/personal-independence-payment-assessment-guide-for-assessment-providers/pip-assessment-guide-part-2-the-assessment-criteria#daily-living-activities

Medication is pharmaceutical treatment …

Therapy is a non-pharmaceutical treatment i.e. treatments which do not involve the use of medicinal drugs. Examples of therapy include physiotherapy, home dialysis and special diets where both attention to the nature and timing of food is integral in the management of the diet and where failing to adhere to the diet would result in an immediate deterioration in the claimant’s condition (e.g. a hyperglycaemic event for a diabetic). ….

Aid or appliance: Any device which improves, provides or replaces claimant’s impaired physical or mental function – includes prosthesis.

poppy123456

Becboo said:

manage therapeutic activities that are carried out in a domestic setting that are prescribed or recommended by a registered doctor, nurse, pharmacist or healthcare professional regulated by the Health Professions Council. 

Does this not apply? 

No it doesn't.

schoolmum

Becboo said:

Hi there

I'd like some advice please about orthotics. I wear an upper body orthotic to hold my shoulder in it's socket and support it. I cannot get it on alone (an able bodied person couldn't either). Would this come under needing assistance to manage therapy, or dressing the upper body? 

Thank you =D

Hi @Becboo
When you are prescribed for a shoulder orthosis/ brace it is usually designed for it to be fitted in place by yourself single handedly.
They usually have numbered markings or have colour coded velcro fasteners for ease of understanding and use.
I have very limited movement/mobility in both upper and lower shoulders arms and hands but I found it quite easy to get the quickly get the hang of.
As both shoulders are effected I was also advised to alternate sides weekly so each side doesn't get too dependent on it and allow for a better long term recovery but I do know this will never happen.
I was given instructions and guidance on how to fit but I found out much more watching clips on you tube. 
Putting on and fastening a bra isn't covered under any of the descriptors but to tell the truth even before I became as debilitated as I am I could never put on and fasten a bra in what is the 'normal way'. I always had to do the hook and eyes at the front of me then turn it around my body...I do make some very strange noises due to pain of movement.
I still do front fasten at times but find that now there are really nice front fastening bras available which are so useful.
Hope these few suggestions help.
Schoolmum

Becboo

schoolmum said:

Becboo said:

Hi there

I'd like some advice please about orthotics. I wear an upper body orthotic to hold my shoulder in it's socket and support it. I cannot get it on alone (an able bodied person couldn't either). Would this come under needing assistance to manage therapy, or dressing the upper body? 

Thank you =D

Hi @Becboo
When you are prescribed for a shoulder orthosis/ brace it is usually designed for it to be fitted in place by yourself single handedly.
They usually have numbered markings or have colour coded velcro fasteners for ease of understanding and use.
I have very limited movement/mobility in both upper and lower shoulders arms and hands but I found it quite easy to get the quickly get the hang of.
As both shoulders are effected I was also advised to alternate sides weekly so each side doesn't get too dependent on it and allow for a better long term recovery but I do know this will never happen.
I was given instructions and guidance on how to fit but I found out much more watching clips on you tube. 
Putting on and fastening a bra isn't covered under any of the descriptors but to tell the truth even before I became as debilitated as I am I could never put on and fasten a bra in what is the 'normal way'. I always had to do the hook and eyes at the front of me then turn it around my body...I do make some very strange noises due to pain of movement.
I still do front fasten at times but find that now there are really nice front fastening bras available which are so useful.
Hope these few suggestions help.
Schoolmum

Hey! thank you! This definitely cannot be done on its own, it has back and front fastenings. But it's cool I see it's an aid and not in either of those descriptors. So technically it comes under other ones, it's all so confusing trying to get your head around it isn't it. I've got evidence from OT about the support I need, I was just really unsure what the orthotic came under x

L_Volunteer

It does sound confusing @Becboo. Is it clearer now and, if not, what might help it to be clearer? 

It sounds really positive to hear you have evidence from OT about the support you need. Please don't hesitate to let us know if we can provide further clarification or support.

We are all here for you and listening to you. Take care for now and we will look forward to, hopefully, hearing from you again soon 

Becboo

L_Volunteer said:

It does sound confusing @Becboo. Is it clearer now and, if not, what might help it to be clearer? 

It sounds really positive to hear you have evidence from OT about the support you need. Please don't hesitate to let us know if we can provide further clarification or support.

We are all here for you and listening to you. Take care for now and we will look forward to, hopefully, hearing from you again soon 

Hi! Yes thank you! I've got a current award, will end in September 2024, but I have lots of new evidence and am considering doing a coc. I currently have standard on both. I need a lot more help than my current award reflects. Just trying to fit myself in the descriptors otherwise how do we know what to challenge if you know what I mean. I've got solid evidence from physio and OT. Thank you everyone x

L_Volunteer

How are you feeling about considering doing a coc at the moment @Becboo? We are here for you and listening to you if you would like to share more with us.

I can hear how you feel you need a lot more help than your current award reflects. It sounds positive that you have solid evidence from physio and OT to support you with this.

Please don't hesitate to let us know if you wish to talk about anything further or need any additional support. We are all here for you and listening to you