Plan for Emergencies
Do you worry about what would happen to the person you care for if you are caught up in an emergency?
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What if you are rushed to hospital due to your own health problems?
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What if you are unexpectedly delayed returning from holiday?
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What if your car breaks down?
Have you considered a Carers Emergency Card?
The Cumbria Carers Emergency Card scheme is designed to give reassurance. It gives you the opportunity to develop an Emergency Plan covering a 72-hour (3-day) period. This plan can be activated with one phone call (to a 24-hour response centre) if an emergency occurs and you are unable to look after the person you care for.
You will be given a Carers Emergency Card, the card has the phone number of the response centre, your name and the unique reference number that is linked to your Emergency Plan. You must then keep the card with you, it is about the size of a credit card and so is easily carried in a purse or wallet.
In an emergency, the details on the card would alert the emergency services or anyone else present that they must ring the response centre. This is particularly important if, due to the situation, you are unable to communicate this yourself.
The response centre would use the unique reference number from the card to identify you and your personalised plan and then make sure the person you care for is looked after according to this plan.
How do I apply for a Carers Emergency Card?
If you are not currently registered with us you can self-refer to our service either by using the online form here or by contacting us.
If you are already registered with us but do not have an Emergency Card, please contact us.
Once your referral has been received one of our Carers Support Workers will come and discuss the scheme and help to develop your Emergency Plan with you.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Adult CarersAdult Carers care for other adults over the age of 18. This includes adults caring for their adult children.
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Young CarersYoung Carers are children and young people between the ages of 5 and 18 who provide regular and on-going care and/or emotional support to a family member who is physically or mentally ill, disabled or has an addiction.
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Parent CarersParent Carers are those caring for a disabled child or young person under the age of 18. Parents will often see themselves primarily as parents, however their child will have additional care needs and may be entitled to additional services.
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Working CarersWorking Carers are people in full or part-time employment, who also provide care for another person. Supporting Carers to remain in work can bring considerable benefits to Carers themselves, employers and the wider economy.
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Sandwich CarersSandwich Carers have more than one caring responsibility; for example, Carers could be caring for two family members, such as an elderly relative and a dependent child or a spouse (Carers UK 2012).