"This activity does not consider the ability to manage clothing, climb stairs or mobilise [get] to the toilet."

Aid or appliance

"When considering whether a claimant requires an aid or appliance, [Healthcare Professionals] should distinguish between:

• an aid or appliance that a claimant must use or could reasonably be expected to use, in order to carry out the activity safely, reliably, repeatedly and in a timely manner; and
• an aid or appliance that a claimant may be using or wish to use because it makes it easier to carry out the activity safely, reliably, repeatedly and in a timely manner.

[A] Descriptor...should only be given in the former case. An aid or appliance is not required in the latter. "

"[For example] the claimant is unable to use a standard toilet due to their health condition or impairment. Suitable aids could include commodes, raised toilet seats and bottom wipers."

Prompting and Supervision

" ‘Prompting’ means reminding, encouraging or explaining by another person. For example: may apply to claimants who need to be reminded to go to the toilet or need supervision to get on and off the toilet safely. "

Assistance

"This...only refers to claimants who require assistance to get on and off the toilet and/or to clean themselves afterwards, but not to claimants who require assistance due to incontinence."

Managing Incontinence

"Managing incontinence means the ability to manage involuntary evacuation of the bladder and/or bowel, including the use of a collecting device or self catheterisation and cleaning oneself afterwards.If a claimant can manage a collecting device or catheter independently, without assistance or the use of an aid, they are able to manage incontinence unaided and they would not score under this activity. Note that a collecting device includes a stoma bag and incontinence pads."






Last updated October 2015