Carers Advice
What is a Carer?
A carer is someone who provides support to family or friends who could not manage without this help. This could be caring for a relative, partner or friend who is ill, frail, disabled or has mental health or substance misuse problems. All the care they give is unpaid.
A carer could be a spouse, partner, parent, sibling, child, friend or any other relation. Anybody from any background and of any age can be a carer and each carer’s experience is unique to their own circumstances.
Just as the reasons why someone becomes a carer vary greatly, the variety of tasks that a carer takes on can be broad. They can include practical tasks such as cooking, cleaning, washing up, ironing, paying bills, financial management and engaging appropriate services; personal care such as bathing, dressing, lifting, administering medication and collecting prescriptions; and emotional support such as listening, advocacy, problem solving, motivating and companionship.
Taking on a caring role can mean facing a life of poverty, isolation, frustration, ill health and depression. Many carers go unidentified until many years into their caring role and the majority struggle alone unaware that help is available to them. Families affected by illness or disability are facing tough times at the moment and it has never been more important that they know their rights.
excerpt from the Carers Support Service
Are You a Carer?
If you are please let us know - we may be able to help you
There is a wealth of information on NHS Choices about carers and caring. Below are some links into the site that we hope you will find useful.
Watch this video on: caring for a parent at home
Caring responsibilities can make it difficult to maintain friendships or develop new ones. Telling your friends you're a carer is important so they understand and can support you.
Caring for someone can be a full-time job, but it's essential that you take time out for yourself too. Read our guide to accessing breaks and respite.
Do you know your tenancy rights as a carer? Are you aware of all your care at home options? Do you need tips on moving someone around the home.
If you need help looking for a residential or nursing home, information is available via Plymouth Online Directory and the Adult Social Care Team at Plymouth City Council
Finance and Law
Help claiming benefits, looking after your bank balance and understanding the legal issues of caring.
Directing carers to the benefits that can help them in their caring role
Benefits for the person you care for
Advice and information on helping the person you look after get the benefits that they are entitled to
How your benefits maybe affected after the death of the person you look after and what happens to their benefits
Managing someone's legal affairs
Advice for when carers find they have to take over the legal affairs of the person they are looking after
Advice for carers and the people they are looking after on claiming a whole host of other benefits unrelated to their disability or caring
Personal and household finance
Advice on keeping a tight rein on household and personal finance for carers
Information on claiming tax credits and whether you might be eligible
Carers UK
They’re here to make sure that no matter how complicated your query or your experience, you don’t have to care alone.
Telephone: 020 7378 4999
Website: www.carersuk.org
St Lukes Hospice
St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth is an independent charity providing specialist advice and support to people with progressive life-limiting illnesses in Plymouth, South West Devon and East Cornwall.
Telephone: 01752 401172
Website: www.stlukes-hospice.org.uk
Improving Lives Plymouth
Improving Lives Plymouth offers support for Carers across the city.
More information is available here.
Their most recent newsletter Caring for Carers is available below.