Carers Come In All Ages!
More than 6 million people in the UK are looking after someone who is old, frail, ill or disabled. A carer can be a child, a neighbour, a friend, a parent, a husband or a wife. In other words a carer is anyone who looks after someone who temporarily, or permanently, needs help to look after themselves.
If you are one of these carers you will know that it can be hard and stressful, and often you feel isolated and lonely. Even though help is available it can be difficult to find out what you are entitled to and even harder, sometimes, to actually get it.
In April 2005 a new law, The Carers (Equal Opportunities) Act came into force. It's aim is to give you a fairer deal by making it easier to get help with your caring responsibilities, and by accepting that you have a right to a life outside caring.
When a person starts to need care, the local authority has a duty to assess their needs so that suitable help can be provided. If you are acting as a carer the local authority should also asses your needs.
When you have an assessment, prepare for this in advance in the following way:-
- think about the dificulties that you have and what help you might need;
- don't feel guilty about asking for help - you and others like you are saving the country millions of pounds;
- remember that you have a right to a life outside of caring;
- never take no for an answer. Ask and ask again and
- you can challenge decisions if you feel that you are not getting what you are entitled to. You can also get help from the Citizens Advice Bureau or the Carers UK Helpline - call 0800 808777 (Wednesday & Thursday 10:00 to midday and 14:00 to 16:00).
Remember that Cowfold Medical Group has it's own carer support worker. If you would like to be put in touch, then please let us know or leave a message with the Carer Support Service on
0300 028 8888 or view their website at www.carerssupport.org.uk
Carers Support Events - Events_Spring_2013.pdf
Carers Support Newsletter - Newsletter_Spring_2013.pdf
Carers Support Newsletter - Newsletter_Spring_2014.pdf