Caring for carers

If you're a carer, there are many organisations that can provide practical and financial help, as well as short breaks from caring. You can find information and advice on Carers Direct.

The two main charities that support carers are Carers UK and The Princess Royal Trust for Carers. They help carers in all aspects of their work, from practical to emotional matters.

The Princess Royal Trust for Carers has 129 carers’ centres across the UK where you can find information, emotional support and training in skills such as first aid and stress reduction.

The person you care for will receive a community care assessment to establish how much support from social services they're entitled to. However, you can ask for your own needs to be included in this, and you're legally entitled to a carer’s assessment.

A carer’s assessment provides an opportunity to discuss your caring role and the support that you need. It’s not an assessment of how well you perform your role, but an evaluation of the support that you're entitled to. You’ll get the chance to discuss issues such as:

• Is your caring role affecting your health?
• Do you get enough sleep?
• Are you worried that you may have to give up work?
• Do you get enough time to yourself?

You could be entitled to personal care assistance: this could mean having someone around to help your relative have a bath or shower. You may also be entitled to adaptations to your house, special equipment, and a break from your caring role, during which your relative will be looked after.

Find out how to apply for a carer’s assessment on Carers Direct.

We all need regular breaks to recharge our batteries, and carers are no different.

Sometimes, short breaks will involve someone else caring for your relative for a few hours a week, leaving you free to do your shopping or visit friends. At other times it could be care for a week or longer, so that you can go on holiday.

Your social services department can advise you on what respite care it can provide and how to access it.

Respite care schemes are also available from independent organisations, including Crossroads Care, the Shared Care Network and Vitalise.

We all need a break from time to time. Don't feel guilty about wanting a break, or think that you don't need one. In the long-term, you'll cope better with the demands of caring if you take time off for yourself.

You can learn more by reading the Carers Direct pages on getting time off.

You may incur costs because of your caring role, and your income through employment may be reduced. Check your entitlement to carers' benefits, as well as other financial support for carers and help covering the costs of the care of the person you look after.

More than three million people combine caring responsibilities with employment. Recent laws have given carers more rights in employment, education and leisure opportunities.

Carers of adults now have the right to request flexible working from their employer, who must consider the request seriously.

It's normal to have complex feelings about your caring role.

You may find it difficult to cope with the changes in your life when you start caring. You can get much-needed mutual support by talking to other carers. Carers UK and the Princess Royal Trust for Carers have safe online forums for carers.

Looking after your health is crucial. Eat well, exercise regularly and talk to your GP if you feel stressed or depressed. Participating in creative activities can be a very good way of releasing your feelings.

For a comprehensive overview of caring, visit the Carers Direct website.