Essential Self-Care for Caregivers

Maintaining your health is crucial for sustaining your role as an unpaid carer. Many carers continue without seeking help until they reach a crisis point. Recognizing early signs of stress and seeking support promptly is essential. Here are some resources that may be beneficial:

Healthcare Services

Consult your GP or healthcare practitioner about available health services, which may include:

Treatment and advice for managing medical conditions
Access to specialized health services, such as dementia care
Referrals to occupational health therapists for home adaptations and equipment
Consultations with incontinence advisors for managing continence issues

Support from Family, Friends, and Neighbors

Communicate with your friends and family about your feelings and needs. They may want to support you but might not know how. Help them understand your experience and what you need from them. If this is challenging, consider what might be stopping you. Reflect on how you would feel if a friend asked you for help and what information you would need from them.

Information and Advice

Carers have emphasized the importance of good information and advice. Understanding the medical condition affecting your loved one is crucial. You may also need guidance on caregiving, benefits, finances, and employment matters. Aim to be involved as an expert partner in care. Reach out to Carers UK for a range of practical advice and support, including finance, benefits, rights at work, and a network of experienced carers. Alternatively, contact your local adult social services department (also known as Adult Social Care). The NHS Choices website offers an online directory to find local service contacts.

Social Services

Request an assessment from your local adult social services department to see what practical support they can offer. UK law entitles unpaid carers to their own care assessment if they provide substantial care. This assessment considers your needs as well as those of the person you care for. A staff member will discuss your health, the care you provide, your feelings about your role, important aspects of your life such as work, study, and leisure, and your emergency plans. You can have a separate carer’s assessment in the following situations:

Providing regular and substantial care to someone
Caring for someone eligible for community care services
As part of the discharge process from the hospital
Caring for someone with mental health issues under the Care Programme Approach
As a parent carer of a disabled child under 18, if the child’s assessment does not fully consider your needs

The local authority will determine if you meet their eligibility criteria for care and support services. If eligible, they will assess your financial situation to decide if you will be charged for these services and how much. Types of support that the local authority may provide include practical help and personal care from agencies like Bay Care, mobility aids for independence, or respite care for a break. Contact your local authority’s adult social services department if you want to request an assessment. More information on obtaining and preparing for a carer's assessment is available on the NHS Choices website or the Carers UK website.

The Care Act 2014

Implemented in England and Wales in April 2015, this act places carers on the same legal footing as those they care for, with extended rights to assessment and new entitlements to support for eligible needs. Local authorities will assess carers' needs, considering the impact of caregiving on their lives, including work, education, and social aspirations. If both the carer and the care recipient agree, a combined assessment can be conducted. After the assessment, the local authority will decide if the carer’s needs are eligible for support. If eligible, a support plan will be created, potentially including help with housework, technology to stay connected with family and friends, or gym memberships to maintain health. Support might also be provided directly to the care recipient, such as replacement care to allow the carer to take a break. If the local authority decides to charge for support, a financial assessment will determine if the carer can afford to pay.

Home Care Services

Consider purchasing your own care services. At Bay Care, we understand the emotional, practical, and social challenges you face. We offer specialist home care tailored to your lifestyle, ensuring you continue to enjoy the important things in life. Services may include:

Weekly visits for practical tasks like housework, laundry, and shopping
Daily pop-ins to help your loved one start the day
Assistance with toileting and personal care
Social support for companionship or engagement in activities
Live-in respite care for breaks or overnight sitters
Long-term live-in care for ongoing 24-hour support

Contact your local Bay Care office for an informal chat about the services we can offer to support you and your family.