Caring for someone
What is a carer?
A carer is anyone who looks after a family member, partner, or friend who needs help because of their illness, frailty, disability, mental health problem or addiction and cannot cope without their support. The care they give is unpaid and would include parent carers of a disabled child and young carers looking after a member of the family.
Many people who care for others don't see themselves as carers. This is because they see themselves as a husband, wife, partner, son, daughter, brother, sister, friend etc. It is important that people are encouraged to recognise that they are carers so that they can be signposted to support at the earliest opportunity.
As an adult carer you are entitled to a
carers assessment. The assessment looks at how caring affects your life, including for example, physical, mental and emotional needs, and whether you are able or willing to carry on caring.
The person you're looking after can also have a
social care needs assessment. This assessment is a discussion with the person you care for (and you) to find out more about the kind of things that they need support with.
Support for Carers
Caring for someone can be rewarding but it can also be tiring, demanding and stressful. It is really important that carers take care of their own health and well-being. It may be helpful to let your GP know if you are a carer.
There are a number of local and national organisations available to help support both adult carers and young carers.
Carers Wakefield and District
Provide local support and information for people who are carers and for professionals who work with carers. They also provide breaks for people who are carers, advice about benefits and other entitlements and support groups.p>
Tel: 01924 305 544
Email:
info@carerswakefield.org.uk
Free Carers Digital Resource
The resource is free and offers up to date information, e-learning opportunities, and a care coordination app that families can use for timetabling care provision. Code DGTL7298
Age UK
Offers information, advice, support groups and services for people over 50 and their families.
Tel: 01977 552114
Alzheimer's Society
Offers information and support groups for people with Alzheimer's/ dementia services and their families.
Tel: 01924 373264
Barnardo's Wesail
Providing advice and support for parents of children with special educational needs (SEN), and young people with SEN.
Tel: 01924 304152
Live Well Wakefield
Offering advice and support for adults in Wakefield (18+) who are struggling with everyday life.
Tel: 01924 255363
Wakefield Connect to Support
Safer Place Scheme
Carers UK
Carers Direct helpline
Carers Trust
Family Action Helpline
Carers Rights Guide
Support for Young Carers
Planning for Emergencies and the Future
As a carer you may find it useful to think about planning for the future. This may be in case of an emergency and you are no longer able to provide care, or it may be for when the person you care for no longer needs your help.
Whatever the circumstance you may wish to have a plan in place. Don't forget to share it with the people that matter so they know what to do.
Some of the things you may want to think about:
- Who needs to be involved in the planning/discussions and making decisions?
- Where will the cared for person live?
- Who would you like to offer support, care and friendship to the cared for person?
- Are there any legal, financial or practical arrangements that would need to be put in place, that is, guardianship, power of attorney, wills and trusts?
- What support or services would be needed for the cared person for in a change of circumstances?
- Who will ensure the cared for persons health care needs and rights are protected?
- Who would you like to share this plan with and where will you keep it?
- How will you adapt to any changes?
Useful links
www.nhs.uk/CarersDirect/guide/emergencies/Pages/Helpwithemergencyplanning.aspx
www.sense.org.uk/support-us/campaign/when-im-gone/