Do you regularly support an adult, or care for someone with daily tasks, a loved one or a friend? You may or may not identify yourself as a carer, but the caring you do entitles you to information, advice and support.
It is really important that when you're caring for someone that you look after yourself too.
This is particularly important at the moment when some people are increasing the amount of unpaid care they provide.
Caring can be very rewarding, but without the right support it can have a negative impact on your health, career, finances and relationships. Support, advice and guidance is available:
Contact Carer Support Dorset
The Carer Support Dorset is the lead carer organisation for Dorset and gives advice and support to all age, unpaid carers across the county. Carer Support Dorset’s aim is to create carer friendly communities where carers are recognised, valued and supported.
Carer Support Dorset is a central point of contact, whether by phone or through the website. They will be able to signpost or refer onto a wide range of existing support available for carers. This could include issuing a carers discount card, access to local carers’ cafes, funding streams and referring to funded services from the local authority through a carers assessment.
Contact Carer Support Dorset on telephone 0800 368 8349 Monday to Thursday 9.30am - 4.30pm, Friday 9.30am - 4.00pm or email admin@carersupportdorset.co.uk
Register with your GP
Let your GP know that you are a carer and ask if this could be registered on your medical record. All GP practices will have a carer registration form. As a carer you are entitled to a free flu vaccination and your surgery may also offer the following:
some flexibility with appointment times, for both yourself and/or the person you care for to accommodate your caring situation
agreement to share information about the condition of the person you care for (with their consent)
carer-specific support and advice
carers register
dedicated carers lead
repeat prescriptions
support groups and carers clinics
Contact your GP surgery for more information.
Caring for someone with mental health needs
Rethink is the lead organisation working with Carers of people with mental health needs. The service supports individual carers by providing practical and emotional support, information, advice and assistance to them in relation to their role as carers and within context of mental health diagnostic and treatment pathways.
Rethink are based at Juniper Lodge, The Conifers, Poundbury Industrial Estate, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 2PG and are available Monday – Friday 9.00am – 4.30pm via mobiles:
Why not join the Dorset Mental Health Forum Carers Project? They have a carers project ensuring that the lived experience of carers is incorporated within many of their workstreams. If you would like to get involved and be part of a Carers project to shape and influence local services in Dorset please click here to be taken to their Facebook page.
Carers support groups
Other carers can provide moral support, advice and expertise. Carer support group information is available from Carer Support Dorset and Rethink.
Caring for someone with a long term health condition
If you're looking after someone who has been diagnosed with a long-term health condition or illness, you are likely to face many practical issues. It's important to get information about the condition and how it will affect the person you care for. This will help you to understand any changes they may go through and support them in retaining their independence, confidence and self-esteem.
NHS Choices has information about specific long-term health conditions.
It can be stressful looking after someone who is frail, especially if you are worried about them having an accident while you are not around. Technology can help by alerting you if something happens and gives you peace of mind.
Equipment and technology
Equipment and technology can provide reassurance for carers and independence for those they look after. From simple aids to sensor systems, there are many products available to help make life easier.
Use our Community Directory to identify suppliers you can buy equipment from directly.
Contact Carer Support Dorset if you would like to talk to someone about equipment and technology to help the person you care for.
We also have a Community Directory of equipment suppliers who you can buy equipment from directly.
Contact us if you would like to talk to someone about equipment and technology to help the person you care for.
How technology can help in the home
The issue you might be facing as a carer
How technology can help
Stress and anxiety, and the constant pressure to be there
Support is always there, 24 hours a day. For example, sensors will alert a monitoring centre if the gas or taps are left on
Not being able to take a break
Allows you freedom to visit friends or go out to the shops
Your health getting worse
Telecare and telehealth are preventative, and have been proven to reduce the level of hospital admissions
Worries about medication
Medication reminders, for example for people with memory loss
Not getting enough sleep
Bed sensors can alert you if you are worried about the person you care for getting out of bed and not returning
Feeling lonely and isolated
The response centre is there to support you 24 hours a day. Technology also lets you go out without having to worry about leaving the person you care for behind
Free yearly flu vaccination
Carers of people with serious/chronic health conditions or who are frail may also qualify for an annual flu vaccination. Ask your GP for more information.
When your caring role changes or ends
We know this will be difficult time for a carer who may have lost a loved one or stop caring for someone they have cared for. Support is available, please contact Carer Support Dorset for advice and support.
The Department of Work and Pensions need to know that you are no longer a carer if you have been receiving Carer's Allowance.
If you were getting a Council Tax discount because of your caring responsibilities, remember to let us know that your caring responsibilities have ended. If you're living alone, you may still be entitled to a single occupant's discount (25%) on your bill.
You may be entitled to welfare benefits if you are not in employment or unable to return to work.
Training
Carer Support Dorset offer a range of training and helpful workshops to help you with your caring role. Contact them for the latest information.
The Carers Trust has free online courses about caring for someone with dementia.
The Recovery Education Centre provides free training courses if you are caring for someone with mental health issues. The courses are mainly held out in the community, so you should not have to travel too far to attend.
The Leonardo Trust
The Leonardo Trust is an independent charity to help people in Dorset who care for a sick or disabled relative or friend, full-time, at home. The Trust may be able to help you with:
funds for a short break
help in the home including cleaning and gardening
replacing a broken washing machine or tumble dryer
funds to help you learn something new
Helplines
Some charities have helplines and online forums that can give you advice and support.
Care Choices offer the Bournemouth, Christchurch, Poole and Dorset, Adult Care and Support Services Directory which includes:
Details of local care providers
Guidance on what support services are available
Information on how to access social care in your area.
To get your free copy of the Dorset, Bournemouth and Poole care guide, please call: Care Choices Ltd on 01223 207770.
National support and information
Carers UK is a charity organisation that has a website that provides factsheets, advice and support for carers, including getting an assessment, financial help, online forums and much more.
Carers UK telephone Helpline is available on 0808 808 7777 from Monday to Friday, 9am – 6pm or you can contact them by email advice@carersuk.org
They provide information and guidance to unpaid carers. This covers a range of subjects including:
benefits and financial support
your rights as a carer in the workplace
carers' assessments and how to get support in your caring role
services available to carers and the people you care for
how to complain effectively and challenge decisions
If you feel you need help in these areas or want to ask a question that might be helpful to you with your caring, contact them on their website or telephone 0808 808 7777 from Monday to Friday, 9am – 6pm.
