Care and mobility considerations
In general, only the most severely- affected people with epilepsy will qualify for an award, (i.e. those with either frequent or severe fits causing injury, those who have no warning or have a dangerous and prolonged post- ictal phase).
Epilepsy affects each person in a different way. In some cases, supervision or attention may be required to prevent the risk of harm and injury during a seizure. To determine this risk, the following questions should be asked to build a complete picture of the customer’s epileptic condition and the way that condition affects their lifestyle.
Once this information is known, DLA / AA legislation can then be applied to the customer’s circumstances.
Note:
None of the following questions on their own provide all the information needed to assess the risk of harm and the need for supervision / attention.
| Question | Reason |
|---|---|
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1) What is the frequency of seizures? | This begins to provide part of the overall picture. |
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2) What type of seizure / seizures are experienced? | This is important as some types of seizure produce very specific seizure characteristics. Some people experience more than one type of seizure. This will help with the consideration of risk. |
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3) Is a useful warning of a seizure experienced and if so is it recognised and remembered? | This information helps to consider the need for any supervision or attention in connection with the seizure. |
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4) What is the history and nature of any injuries sustained during the seizure? | Again, this assists in determining the level of risk and deciding what supervision / attention is needed to avoid or reduce that risk. Injuries sustained may be bruising or tongue biting to fractures or head injury. |
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5) What is the nature and duration of any automatic / post-epileptic behaviour? | Again, this will help to determine the level of risk and the supervision / attention needed to avoid or reduce that risk. Post-epileptic behaviour can last from a few minutes to days. |
Similar considerations are made by Occupational Health physicians in relation to employment and by the DVLA regarding safety to drive as detailed in the link below.
Other considerations might be:
- Does the customer drive?
- Are seizures experienced during the day and / or night?
Whether the customer has had an episode of unexplained ‘Status Epilepticus’ or has responsibility for the care of children under 3 will help with the consideration of entitlement and / or duration of award.
Click on the link for details of:
- Living with Epilepsy
- Nocturnal seizures
- Non-epileptic seizures
- Status epilepticus and serial epilepsy
Amended November 2008
