Adult Carers
What do carers do?
A carer is someone who without payment (excluding Carer's Allowance) provides care and support to a friend or family member who due to illness, disability, a mental health or addiction problem cannot manage without their help. Many people do not see themselves as a carer, however if something were to happen to them would the person they support be able to manage independently?
A carer may support or care for someone in many different ways. Your caring role might include:
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Helping someone with their personal care
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Meal preparation
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Dealing with bills and financial matters
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Managing day to day appointments such as GP and hospital appointments
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Collecting prescriptions
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Administering or prompting medication
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Cleaning, laundry or shopping tasks
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Emotional support and reassurance
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Making sure someone is safe
Caring for someone can affect your mental and physical well-being.
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Sleep deprivation
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Stress, worry and overwhelming feelings of responsibility
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Physical tiredness or ailments from lifting
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Financial worries
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No social time or time to yourself to relax
How we can help:
If you decide to seek help from Carer Support West Cumbria, you will be given individual support from one of our trained Carer Support Workers.
Your support worker will contact you to arrange to complete a Carers Assessment. All Carers in the UK, aged 18+, are entitled to an Assessment of their own needs; separate from the needs of those that they care for.
The Carers Assessment aims to identify areas where greater support can be given to you as a Carer, such as:
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Information on all aspects of your caring role
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One-to-one support - sometimes, all you need is a friendly listening ear
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Contingency Planning (Adult Carers Only)
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Social Events and Activities
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Referral to other support services e.g. occupational therapist or social care