Are you a 'carer'?
If you spend a significant amount of your time providing unpaid support to a relative, partner or friend who is ill, frail, disabled or has mental health or substance misuse problems then you are a 'carer'.
The term 'carer' should not be confused with a 'care worker' or 'care assistant', who receives payment for looking after someone. Carers come from all walks of life, all cultures and can be of any age, for example:
- a husband looking after his disabled wife
- a neighbour taking care of a friend who has a long term illness
- a 15 year old looking after a parent with depression
Many carers do not consider themselves to be a 'carer'. Instead they see themselves as simply looking after someone and doing what anyone else would do in their situation.
'Young carers'
A 'young carer' is a child or young person under the age of 18 carrying out significant caring tasks and taking a certain amount of responsibility for another person, which would normally be the responsibility of an adult.
If you are a 'carer' – tell your GP and get support
Often, carers have little or no time for themselves and for this reason could potentially become ill due to being over-worked, stressed or simply by not going for routine health check-ups. If your GP knows that you are a 'carer' they can:
- ensure you have regular health check-ups
- be flexible by giving you an appointment time that helps you
- give you emotional support
- advise you about financial support available to you
- help you access transport services
- give you information about respite care
- refer you to other local organisations who can offer you help and support
Have you had your Carers' Assessment? Click here to find out more
Carers Survey
Thank you to those of you that took the time to complete the Carers Survey in December 2010, the results of this survey will be published in March 2011.