Attendance Allowance (AA) guide

If you struggle to get up, wash and dress yourself without help, say so. If you struggle everyday of the week, say so. If you have a couple of good days, say 4 to 5 days.

Time yourself or get someone else to time you. If you have to stop and rest, say so and give the reason. Is it because of pain, discomfort, dizziness or problems with balance?

Think carefully about the length of time it takes you to get out of bed, and if possible time it from the time you wake up. Remember to say how long you have to rest before you can continue.

Think about all the different tasks involved in getting in and out of bed:

• are you breathless when you wake up
• do you have to take your time because your muscles or joints are painful
• do you use any equipment, furniture or the wall to help lever or push yourself up? You may have to use a walking frame for support in order to get to your feet due to the arthritis in your legs
• do you need someone to help you sit up or get your legs out of bed? Your mobility is very poor and if you need someone to help you off the bed and onto your feet
• do you need someone or something to support you when you stand up from the bed, for example because of pain, muscle weakness or problems of balance? Say why
• do you have to go back to bed during the day because of pain, fatigue, exhaustion? Say why and how often
• do you need to be encouraged or prompted to get out of bed? If so say how and why
• do you hear voices telling you not to get up? If so what do they say
• if because of the severity of your illness you are unable to get out of bed at all, say so