Information for carers

Help and advice for relatives and friends who support people within our services.

Who is a carer?

Anyone who provides support could be a carer. This includes family members, relatives, partners, friends, or neighbours. They provide support to people who are ill, frail, disabled, have a mental illness or substance misuse problems. It could be emotional support, medical, personal or physical care or jobs around the home.

Young carers: Young adult carers refer to people aged 16-25 while young carers refer to those aged under 18. If you are a young carer there is specialist support and advice on the Trust website (www.hacw.nhs.uk/carers).

 

Where to start? 

We know that supporting someone can be difficult. We want to make sure that you have all the advice and information that you need. This leaflet will help make sure you are prepared, with advice and information. 

 

1. Carers Information

We want to make sure that you have all the information and advice available. This will help to keep you and the person you are supporting as well as possible. The Trust has produced a useful series of questions or prompts. They will help you to know what to expect, and to prepare for the person you support.

View and download the full Prepared Carer Checklist: Prepared Carer Checklist v1cc1123.pdf [pdf] 502KB 

A summary of the questions to think about are below:
• What is their medical condition?
• What professionals / teams are involved in their care?
• How is their mood and wellbeing?
• What support do they need?     
• Has any other care been arranged?
• Where can I go for more support and advice?
• Who can I contact if I need more information?
• What matters to you?

You can discuss the checklist, or any questions you have, with any service or team within the Trust.

Getting the correct care

The above Prepared Carer Checklist will also help you to start to think about any additional support you may need. 

Advocacy services

Advocacy supports people so their voices are heard, and their wishes are listened to. Onside provide a wide range of support services for both you, and the person you care for. Ensuring fairness and equality for all members of our community. Including people who are vulnerable, disadvantaged or discriminated against. For more information visit: https://www.onside-advocacy.org.uk/ 

 

2. Confidentiality and information sharing

Staff have a legal duty to keep personal information confidential. Staff will check consent regularly with patients.

Sometimes patients do not consent for staff to share information with carers. If they make this decision it has to be respected. But, staff should check if it applies to all the information, or only some things. If not, you can still receive general information and support for yourself in a caring role.
The person you care for may agreed that information can be shared with you. If so, planned care or treatment should be discussed with you.

Carers often want to share information with staff which is welcomed. Anything shared is also bound by confidentiality. 

 

3. Carers Assessment

If you care for someone, you can have an assessment to see what might help make your life easier. This is called a carer’s assessment. A carer’s assessment is free and anyone over 18 can ask for one.

It might recommend things like:

• someone to take over caring so you can take a break
• gym membership and exercise classes to relieve stress
• training how to lift safely
• putting you in touch with local support groups so you have people to talk to
• advice about benefits for carers

If you live in Herefordshire contact Herefordshire Council to request a carer’s assessment. Call 01432 260101 or email ASCAdviceandReferralTeam@herefordshire.gov.uk 

If you live in Worcestershire contact the Worcestershire Association of Carers on 0300 012 4272. They are available weekdays 9am to 7pm or Saturday 9am to 12midday.

 

4. Taking care of yourself

Caring or supporting another person is not an easy role. It is normal to feel a range of emotions. For example relieved if your loved one is coming home, worried about how they are and how you will manage. Some people will feel guilty for not feeling able to take on new caring responsibilities. Others may feel resentful because they have had to give up something else in their life to allow them to care. The one thing we don’t want you to feel is alone.

Remember, it’s okay to ask about what matters to you, as well as the needs of the person that you are supporting. It is important to make sure that you can maintain a life of your own whilst staying healthy and well.

If you feel stressed, anxious or have low mood the ‘Talking Therapies’ service can help. They provide a range of free, confidential support, 
to anyone over the aged of 16. This includes online therapy, groups, and courses and 1-1 support.  www.talkingtherapies.hwhct.nhs.uk 

5 steps to wellbeing

Evidence suggests there are 5 steps you can take to improve your mental health and wellbeing. Trying these things could help you feel more positive and able to get the most out of life. It is important to take time for yourself and choose things you want to do.

1. Connect with other people – this does not always have to be face-to-face. If you need to talk through your caring role, local organisations can help. You can view the full list here: www.hacw.nhs.uk/carers

2. Be active – try to maintain your physical and mental health by taking some exercise and eating as well as you can.

3. Learn new skills – they can also improve your mental wellbeing. Learning new things can make us feel more confident as well as being fun.

4. Give to others – spend time with friends or relatives. If you are reading this leaflet then it is likely that you are already doing this by being a carer. 

5. Taking Notice (being mindful) – Paying more attention to the present moment. This includes thoughts and feelings, and the world around you. Demands may be very high so focus on what you have achieved rather than feeling guilty about what you have not.

Short breaks and time away from caring

If you’re a carer, you might need to take a break sometimes. This could be a short respite break away from your caring role, or a holiday with the person you care for. It can help you feel better able to cope in your caring role. If this is being self-funded, a range of residential day and home care is on offer. Where funding is provided, talk to the person carrying out your carers assessment. More information can be found on the Carers Trust website. (https://carers.org/getting-a-break/getting-a-break)

 

5. Planning for an emergency

Planning is key to coping with a crisis or emergency. It is important to think in advance about an action plan.

You and the person you care for might like to write down a plan about what might happen if there was an emergency. Often, teams will help your friend or relative to plan what will happen if they become unwell again. If carers are part of that plan they should be involved and have a copy, so they know what to expect.

Your friend or relative can also write a plan for themselves about what they might like to happen in the future. They may like you to be involved with this.

Carers can often recognise early signs that someone is deteriorating. The trust medical teams can provide information that will help recognise when someone is unwell. The person you care for may have a written ‘Personalised Care and Support Plan’ which may help. If you feel signs of a relapse or deterioration are present, contact the medical services for advice: Such as their GP, their current care team or perhaps a specialist team whose contact details have been provided to you. 

You should not worry that you will be seen as ‘making a fuss’. You are the person who may be the most aware of a developing problem and staff should respect your opinion.

Urgent help

NHS 111 can help if you have an urgent medical problem and you’re not sure what to do. 

Call the mental health helpline for urgent advice: 
0808 196 9127. This number is free to phone 24 hrs a day 365 days a year. Call 999 in a medical or mental health emergency. This is when someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk. If you feel in immediate danger call 999 and ask for the police.

6. Carers emergency scheme

Support is available if you fall ill or are involved in an accident or emergency. This is to make sure the person you look after is safe and cared for whilst you can’t. 

Emergency carers card: You always carry the card with you. Anyone can call the emergency number on it to say that you have had an accident or been taken ill. The team will call your emergency contacts and ensure that the person you care for is looked after.

Message in a bottle (Datalink Pot) for emergency services: They can see your personal and medical information if you have an accident at home. Your personal and medical information is stored in a labelled plastic container. This is kept in your fridge.

For more information or to sign up visit the website: 
www.carersworcs.org.uk/emergency-planning 

 

7. GP carers register

Many GP practices aim to identify carers within their practice. But, you should check and inform your GP practice if you are a child or adult caring for someone at home or elsewhere. Once you are registered as a carer many GP practices offer some or all the following.

• Free annual flu vaccinations.
• Joint appointments for patients and carers.
• Back-to-back appointments for patients and carers.
• Home appointments for carers who are housebound.
• Health check for carers.
• Share information with agreement.
• ‘Emergency’ appointment slots free each day for carers.
• A nominated staff member who is a carer lead.
• A dedicated carers noticeboard and carers link on their website.

 

8. Carer Information and support groups

Carer education and support groups provide;

• Time to talk, share experiences and support each other.
• Visiting speakers on issues and services
• Increased understanding of the person’s condition or illness, and how best this can be managed.
• Information on carers rights
• A social event

Details can be provided by the team that is giving the care. Please speak to the named worker or staff member to find out more information.

 

External support and groups

Information on carer organisations and groups can be found on the Trust website page — Support for carers

 

Your story can make a difference 

We want to hear your views about our services. We share your feedback with the staff in this service, so that they know what’s good and what could be improved. Your story will be anonymous meaning your name will not be shared.

Free phone number to tell your story: 0800 122 31 35 
careopinion.org.uk