The person you care for may start to need more support over time, particularly if they are elderly or have a progressive condition. If you’re spending more time caring, this is likely to have an impact on you. However, there are sources of help available for you both.
Finding practical help
If you or the person you care for are already getting help from social services, you can ask them for a reassessment of your needs. Depending on the outcome of your reassessment, you may both be offered more support.
Help from social services or the NHS
Alternatively, if you haven’t had help from social services before, you may now be eligible. Support for the person you care for could include aids and adaptations for daily living, help from paid carers or direct payments that can be used to fund independent support. A carer’s assessment is an opportunity for you to talk about support that could help you balance your caring responsibilities with other aspects of your life, such as work, education or relationships with family or friends. Your local authority will then decide what services it can provide.
Some carers find that the person they care for is reluctant to accept help from social services, perhaps because they would rather be cared for by a family member, or because they don’t want to let strangers into their home. This can make it difficult for their carer to get a break. For tips that may help in this situation, see the page on refusal of care.
The person you care for may also be able to access practical support through the NHS. This could include equipment such as wheelchairs, or supplies to help with incontinence. For more information about help that might be available, talk to your GP or practice nurse.
Help from charities
Support may also be available through local branches of voluntary organisations for elderly people, like Age UK, or through charities for people who have a particular condition, such as The Stroke Association. The services offered vary widely, but they can include social activities such as support groups and day centre provision, as well as financial advice, emotional support or help with household tasks. They may also offer services specifically for carers.
Help from Carers Direct
For details of your local social services, or to find local voluntary organisations in your area, call the Carers Direct helpline on 0808 802 0202 or search the Carers Direct online directory of local carers support.
Friends and family can be another valuable source of assistance. However, it may not be obvious to others that the person you care for has started to need more support, so if you feel that you would like more help, let them know. To make this easier, you could make a list of tasks that friends or family members might be able to help with.
Finding financial help
If someone’s condition worsens, this can put a strain on their finances. For example, the person you care for may need to buy equipment, or pay more for increased heating, laundry bills, special food or clothing. People who were previously in work may be unable to continue working, resulting in a loss of earnings.
Disability benefits
The person you care for may find they’re now able to claim a disability-related benefit such as Disability Living Allowance or Attendance Allowance. If they’re already claiming, they may be eligible for a higher rate. The main benefit for people who are unable to work because of illness or disability is Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).
As a carer, your finances may also be affected if you spend more time caring. If you’re working, it can be difficult to balance work duties with your increased caring commitments. Take a look at the in work section for advice that could help if you want to stay in work or are considering stopping work. Increased caring responsibilities can sometimes add other financial pressures. For example, your transport costs might go up because you need to go to appointments with the person you care for, or you may have higher phone bills because you’re calling them more often.
Carers' benefits
The main benefit for carers of working age is Carers Allowance. If you weren’t eligible for this benefit previously, you may become eligible if the condition of the person you care for worsens, because eligibility is affected by the number of hours you spend caring.
When your circumstances change, it’s a good idea to get a full benefits check to find out what you’re entitled to. Benefits checks can often be provided by your local Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB), carers centre or welfare rights organisation. They’re also sometimes provided by local authorities. Call our helpline or search our directory to find out how you can get a benefits check.
Family finance
There may be other ways you and the person you care for can make your money go further. Find advice on reducing utility bills and budgeting in the personal finance section. You may also be able to reduce your health costs, such as prescriptions, travel costs, eye care and dental treatment.
Your needs as a carer
If your caring commitments increase, it’s important to remember to look after your own health and wellbeing, and to seek support if you need it.
You may find it helpful to share your experiences with others who are in a similar situation to you. This could be through a local support group, carers centre or online forum. You can find sources of local support by calling the Carers Direct helpline on 0808 802 0202 or searching the Carers Direct online directory of local carers support.
Planning for the future
When someone starts to need more care, they may begin to think about how their needs might increase in the future. If you or the person you care for are getting help from social services, this should be reviewed at least once a year. Reassessments can happen more often if someone’s needs change.
Support and adaptations can help someone to continue living as independently as possible in their own home. However, the person you care for may also want to consider different housing options, for example, sheltered housing or residential care. Alternatively, if you don’t already live with the person you care for, you might think about sharing your home with them. There are many issues to consider, such as your housing needs, care at home and care outside the home.
The person you look after may be concerned about their ability to manage their own affairs in the future. If so, they can plan to give someone else control of their legal and financial affairs.
Finally, a carer’s assessment from social services is your opportunity to talk about your own plans for the future and the kind of support that would help you to achieve these.
