Daily living component activity 1 descriptor C (2 points)
Cannot cook a simple meal using a conventional cooker but is able to do so using a microwave.
Who it applies to
Daily living component activity 1 descriptor C may apply to an individual who cannot safely use a cooker hob, but is able to use a microwave instead.
Using a microwave does not mean the heating of ready-prepared microwave meals, and as a result, this would not be enough to satisfy descriptor C.
You should be aware that this descriptor does not remove the requirement to be able to complete the rest of the activity (i.e., prepare a meal unaided) such as:
- chopping
- peeling
- knowing when the food is cooked
- being able to serve the meal
An individual with frequent but predictable seizures, or other events which affect their level of consciousness, should usually be able to use a conventional cooker if this allows them to remove themselves from any danger before the seizure occurs.
An individual with unpredictable seizures may need to use a microwave to avoid the risk of burning themselves with a conventional cooker. There could also be instances when an individual with unpredictable seizures may not be able to use a microwave safely, in which case another descriptor would apply.
An individual who uses an aid or appliance may satisfy this descriptor, if in addition to using the aid or appliance, they cannot safely use a cooker hob, but are able to use a microwave instead.
Example: An individual living with dementia, who satisfies daily living component activity 1 descriptor C
Application form
Bryan has dementia. His ADP application form was written by his wife, who’s also written a supporting letter. She explains that while he can still do most things for himself, like dressing and washing, because they are habitual, and he knows, he has to wash and dress after waking up.
In his application form, she states that whenever he’s in the kitchen, he often forgets that he’s cooking.
She gives an example that he was making himself an omelette for breakfast. He knew how to make it and was able to chop the onion and whisk the eggs, but when cooking on the stove, he left the pan on and went to answer the front door. She smelled the burning eggs and had to turn the cooker off. After that, they bought a tool from a catalogue that means he can now make omelettes in the microwave.
Supporting information
Bryan has a letter from his dementia specialist which shows that he has the early effects of dementia and that his brain function is still quite good, but there are times when he forgets things, and this includes cooking.
Case manager’s decision
As Bryan’s memory is affected, he would need to use a microwave to cook a meal but is able to prepare the meal himself without any help. The microwave stops the risk of leaving the cooker unattended because it will turn itself off.
The case manager determines that Bryan satisfies daily living component activity 1 descriptor C because he needs to use the microwave to remain safe.
Example: An individual living with epilepsy, who satisfies daily living component activity 1 descriptor C
Application form
Cheryl has generalised epilepsy, which means that she can collapse to the floor and have a seizure.
She’s had epilepsy since childhood and when she was younger, she used to get a strange taste in her mouth for about 10 minutes before a seizure.
She reports in her ADP application that since adulthood she’s stopped having these warnings, and so can have a seizure without knowing. During a seizure, she drops to the floor, is limp and unconscious for about 4 or 5 minutes. After having a seizure, she’s dazed and confused for around 2 hours and must sleep.
She reports that she has to be especially careful in the kitchen because she does not know when she might have a seizure. She has a letter from her neurologist that says that she has a seizure once or twice a week.
Case manager’s decision
As Cheryl has unpredictable seizures and risks leaving the cooker while unconscious, she needs to use the microwave to cook her meals.
Although using a knife could make preparing food unsafe for Cheryl during a seizure, using an aid to slice food instead removes this risk. Descriptor B is therefore also possibly relevant to Cheryl.
However, the case manager determines Cheryl satisfies daily living component activity 1 descriptor C, because Cheryl needs to use the microwave to remain safe. As a result, this is the descriptor which should apply to her, as it’s the descriptor which she can satisfy in line with the reliability criteria.