Reclusive Agrophobe Panicing At Quick Home Visit

Hi
I'm not good at collating my thoughts when panicing, but will try.

I'll be 50 next year, and have been on the lower rate DLA for both mobility and care for the past 12 plus years. The primary cause of my benefit is due to Dystonia Torticollis..which is an unpleasant and generally lifelong degenerative condition.

Side effects due to this (because the spine is always stretched out of it's natural alignment by muscle spasm), include 2 prolapsed discs and intermittent though usually severe sciatica. I am also highly agrophobic, and a hermt. The last of my family passed away last June and finally February this year.

I have no friends, just a little dog who is my life. I applied last month for PIP after the form arrived. I did download the guide, though struggled alone to make a good job of it. I fully filled every box on the form in small writing, though no additional sheets were used.

I had a letter last week, saying that my appointment will be a home visit this Wednesday at 9.am. I am panicked because of just how quick they replied, and the fact they want a home visit. Admittedly I told them I would have great difficulty attending an appointment..but this is not like them from experience - to be so quick and accomadating - unless looking for a quick result to have my application rejected is my suspicion.

I don't have anyone who can sit in with me..so it's just me and them basically I guess. I want to use my phone and laptop microphones to record the interview. Do I need to tell them, or if I tell them will they refuse to proceed..? Thinking of starting them when the knock at the door arrives and not make it apparent that I'm recording..(?)

I genuinely rely on my existing DLA. A lot of household cleaning tasks are beyond me, and it helps pay for a fortnightly cleaner from a high calibre local company. The lady comes out for 3 hours and is very quiet and understanding of phobic demeanour with people - even if they are in my home.

The meds I'm on are : Morphine capsules, Morphine oral solution, 5MG Diazepam 3 times a day, 40 MG Propranalol 3 times a day, either - 500 MG/15 Co-Codamol 4 times a day OR 3 Dihydrocodeine a day. Naproxen and Gabapentin are the others.

Is there any advice based on what I've outlined here to be aware of do you think ? Am I right under the circumstances to be so unsettled..?

It's late in the day now to be asking, which is my own fault..so if I don't get a reply beforehand I'll understand. I will nip in post appointment regardless and tell you what my impressions and experiences were of this home visit appointment.

Thanks for reading. Have a lovely weekend everyone.

Panicking Pete

Hi Pete
A home visit can be a good thing but be aware that you are used to your own environment.Just be yourself, make no special effort. The assessor needs to see you without any coping mechanisms that you use. Take your meds as normal. The assessor will be watching everything you do from the moment you open the door and will make assumptions on your capabilities. If your condition varies from day to day make sure the HCP is aware of this as they only see a snapshot of your life while they are there.
best of luck
D

Thank You David & Gordon for this.

I guess all I can do then is as suggested. Just be myself as usual, and don't try to be clever with secret recordings. I'm not sure I'll sleep tomorrow night, and just want this to be done now. It's strange to be so unnerved by something which is..well just an appointment..but it's because of the stakes.

Even now my brain won't kick into gear to reply properly. I will definitely return after Wednesdays appointment..just to share the experience and any thoughts or observations that come from it. May be useful to others.

Best wishes & Much Thanks again.