Impact on daily living activities

Here are some examples of how you might describe the impact on daily living activities.

Here are some examples of how you might describe the impact on daily living activities, if applicable for you:

Meal Preparation

I have difficulty with meal preparation due to severe pain and restricted mobility
I am unable to use my hands to stir, chop, peel, open jars due to severe pain, hand tremors and low grip
I am restricted in my standing and lifting to prepare a meal
I require frequent breaks when preparing meals; compared to an average person my age with no restrictions it takes me three times as long to prepare a meal.
I have low motivation and a severely low appetite and therefore I do not prepare meals
My family will prepare meals for me and try to get me to eat. They will bring my meals to bed for me.

Managing Finances

I get severely overwhelmed and anxious when attempting to manage my finances
I forgot to pay my bills due to restricted memory
Due to poor impulse control, I have difficulty maintaining my budget

Shopping for Personal Needs

I am severely restricted in grocery shopping
Walking, standing, and lifting is all severely restricted which makes it difficult to shop
I use a wheel bag that I can put a few light groceries in, however this elevates my pain and I require rest afterwards
I receive assistance from my family with shopping

Housework

I experience elevated pain when I try to do housework
Tasks such as doing laundry, doing dishes, vacuuming and overall cleaning severely elevate my pain
I am unable to iron my clothes at all due to severe pain
I require assistance from my family with housework

Self-Care

I am required to sit in the shower due to chronic pain
I am required to sit down when getting dressed due to poor balance
Lifting my arms up to put on shirts elevates my pain
Severe difficulty and elevated pain when trying to use hands for things like buttons, zippers, belts and tying shoes
Compared to an average person my age without any restrictions it takes me three times as long to get dressed

Medication Management

I require a pill pack to help me remember to take my medication
I require assistance from my family to help me with opening my pill bottles due to my restricted usage of my hands
I require my pharmacy to deliver my medications due to poor memory

Transportation

Due to severe pain, I am severely restricted in my ability to use transportation
I am unable to take public transit due to my restricted mobility. I am unable to walk, stand or sit for extended periods of time to use public transportation.
My family members will drive me to my appointments

Decision Making

I am very easily overwhelmed and anxious
I get confused and I do not understand
I have avoidant behavior
I require the assistance of my family members in making decisions

Relating/Communicating with Others

I am very withdrawn and isolated
I spend most of my time in bed trying to relieve pain
I do not see friends or go out and socialize
I am anxious around others

Resources

Definitions of Arthritis and Depression

Below are definitions of Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis and Depression which can help describe these medical conditions when you and/or your medical professional complete the medical forms in benefit applications.

Disability Alliance BC - Sample Letter for Your Doctor

Dear Doctor, I am writing to ask you to complete a Medical Report for my application for Canada Pension Plan disability benefits.

How do I get a Social Insurance Number?

Find your birth certificate, Certificate of Canadian citizenship or permanent residence card. These are called primary documents.

How do I set up a My Self Serve (MySS) account

My Self Serve (MySS) provides online access to income and disability assistance for residents of British Columbia.

How to find a doctor or nurse practitioner who will work with you

How you can help your medical practitioner complete the DTC medical form

I need help with my Disability Tax Credit

You can ask for support before, during and after applying for your DTC.

If you are unable to open an RDSP

If you have trouble opening an RDSP, even if you meet all the eligibility criteria, it is usually because your financial institution is missing some information.

If your CPP-D application is denied

You will get a decision letter from Service Canada. It will explain why your application was denied.

If your DTC application is denied

If your Disability Tax Credit application is denied, you will get a ‘notice of determination’ letter from Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).

Questions to ask when deciding which financial institution to choose to open your RDSP.

Is the financial institution convenient for me to reach?

There are three ways to file income taxes

You can file your taxes electronically (online) using NETFILE (an electronic tax-filing service that sends your tax return directly to the Canada Revenue Agency.