Looking after someone?
Find out what help you can get
Caring for someone can be very difficult and many
people find that they need extra help with the care that they provide. Find out
what support you might be able to receive with this short assessment.
We recommend you make a checklist of the points in italics
(beneath the answers you give) and use it to take some next steps to making
your role as a carer easier to manage.
QUESTIONS
1. Do you feel you have enough
information about being a carer and know where to go if you need it?
a) Yes, I have the information I need
b) I have enough information now but I'm not always sure where to get
more
Use the NHS Choices website for up-to-date
carer information or call the Carers Direct helpline
Get in touch with a
Carers Direct advisor
c) No
Use the NHS Choices website for up-to-date
carer information or call the Carers Direct helpline
Get in touch with a
Carers Direct advisor
Getting the right info
Even if you think you've got
all the information you need, it's well worth having a
look through the NHS Choices website to check. Alternatively you can call the
Carers Direct helpline on 0808 802 0202.
Advice can also be found
through local carer groups, where meeting others in a similar situation to you
can be helpful.
2. Do you feel physically capable of
caring?
a) Yes
b) Most of the time
Be aware of the physical demands of caring as
it could start to affect your own health
c) No
Speak to your GP about the physical demands
of caring as it may already be affecting your health
Physically capable of caring
The
demands of caring can be physically demanding and often carers overlook their
own health because they are busy caring.
Carers commonly suffer from
back pain, tiredness or physical exhaustion.
3. Does caring cause you sleepless
nights, feelings of loneliness or being overwhelmed?
a) Yes
Speak to your GP or social services urgently
to ensure you get the emotional support you need
Getting emotional
support and advice
b) Sometimes
Look after your emotional wellbeing by
speaking to your GP or joining a local carer`s group
Getting emotional
support and advice
c) No
Getting emotional
support and advice
Common emotions
People looking after someone
else can bottle up their feelings in order to protect themselves and the person
they look after. However, the caring role is often accompanied by feelings of
guilt, regret, anger, fear and depression.
If you're not sure whether
you're coping with caring, the chances are you might not be and should seek
further medical advice.
4. Would any of the following make your
caring role easier? (you can pick more than one)
a) Financial help or benefits
Find out more about the financial benefits
available to you including discounts for carers
b) Equipment or adaptations to your house
Find out from social services about home
adaptations that may be available
c) Mobility aids
Check
with social services about mobility aids
d) Someone to help or talk to
Contact your local authority to ask for an
assessment of your own needs
Find your local
authority on our directory
e) Better communication with professionals
Use the NHS Choices website for up-to-date
carer information or call the Carers Direct helpline
f) Contact with others in a similar situation
Consider joining a local carer group who can
help you get the right emotional support
Practical
support
There are lots of practical
benefits and aids available to help make caring easier.
These range from help to
adapt your house and mobility scooters to discounts on your gas bill and
payments for a personal assistant to support you in the home.
5. Do you get breaks or time off from
your caring role?
a) Yes, I regularly get time off
b) Yes, but not on a regular basis
Ask social services about respite care and
possible holiday expenses to help you get a regular break
Get information about
a break from caring
c) No
Ask social services about respite care and
possible holiday expenses to help you get a break
Get information about
a break from caring
6. Do you find it hard to keep up with
other areas of your life? If so, which areas: (you can pick more than one)
a) Studying or going to school
Speak to social services about help to ensure
you can continue your education more easily
b) Working
Find out about your rights to flexible
working arrangements
Find out about
flexible working
c) Keeping healthy
Get advice about taking care of yourself
Looking after your
health
d) Time to myself
Get information about
a break from caring
e) Keeping up with friends and family
A break from caring can help you socialise
Get
information about a break from caring
f) No
Study and work
Practical
help is available to carers who want to combine working or studying with a
caring role.
RESULTS
We recommend you make a checklist of the points in
italics (beneath the answers you gave above) and use it to take some next steps
to making your role as a carer easier to manage.
NHS
Choices 2011