Daily living component activity 1 descriptor B (2 points)
Needs to use an aid or appliance to be able to either prepare or cook a simple meal.
Who it applies to
Daily living component activity 1 descriptor B is most likely to apply to an individual who needs to use an aid or appliance to prepare or cook a meal.
You should consider whether an individual requires the aid or appliance to carry out the activity or if they are using it as a choice or preference.
If an individual is reliant on pre-chopped vegetables, you should consider whether the individual can peel or chop with the use of an aid.
If they can, this descriptor is likely to apply.
If they cannot, the individual needs assistance to prepare a simple meal and this descriptor is not likely to apply.
Example: An individual living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, who satisfies daily living component activity 1 descriptor B
Application form
Jenny has reported in her Adult Disability Payment (ADP) application form that she feels breathless when preparing a meal. Her application shows that she has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
She has a GP letter which shows that she sees her practice nurse every year for a review of her asthma. She is currently prescribed a standard ‘relieving’ inhaler along with a ‘preventer’ steroid inhaler and takes a specialist medication to control the secretions from coughing.
She explains in her application that if she’s active, she gets more breathless and has to rest on a stool in the kitchen so that she does not exert herself too much. She says that when she’s using this stool, she can chop and peel vegetables normally and is able to use the hob whilst she is on this stool.
Case manager’s decision
As she needs to use the perching stool to prepare and cook a meal at waist height, the case manager determines that Jenny satisfies daily living component activity 1 descriptor B, because the stool is an aid in performing this activity.
Example: An individual living with glaucoma, who satisfies daily living component activity 1 descriptor B
Application form
Mark has recently been diagnosed with glaucoma in his right eye. He sees an eye specialist at the hospital and his condition is stable. His hospital doctor has sent supporting information that suggests the vision in his right eye is reduced by around 50%.
In his ADP application, Mark writes that he’s been given a fluid level indicator by an occupational therapist. He uses this when he’s cooking to make sure he does not spill liquids. He goes on to say that he’s able to use a device called a mandolin when preparing his vegetables. He uses this instead of knives because he worries about cutting himself but is able to use the mandolin safely himself.
Case manager’s decision
From his consultation report, it is noted that he’s able to tell when food is cooked because the vision is good enough in his left eye to see colour. However, because of the reduction of vision, he finds it difficult to see clear liquids and so uses the fluid level indicator.
As Mark needs to use this indicator to safely cook his food and uses a mandolin to safely prepare his meals, the case manager determines that Mark satisfies daily living component activity 1 descriptor B, as these devices are considered aids.