As a carer you need to make sure you are fully aware of the possible side effects of any medication taken by the person you care for. It is also a good idea to make yourself aware of how the illness or disability of the person you care for will change over time. You may want to speak to healthcare professionals, health charities and other carers about what new symptoms to expect and how to cope with new symptoms.
If you spend a lot of time caring, you will become the best judge of what can be considered the normal condition of the person you care for. That means you're in a good position to spot any potential problems early on.
It's important that you communicate with the health professional of the person you care for. Alert them if you have any concerns about the health of the person you care for, whether they are physical or mental health problems, before they progress.
Early warning signs vary greatly depending on the individual condition. You can find more information about symptoms of the condition you are concerned about in the Health A-Z. If you have an immediate health concern, use the NHS Direct initial assessment or call 0845 4647. In an emergency dial 999.
