Carers Advice

Are you a carer?

please let us know because we may be able to help you…

You’re a carer if you provide help and support, unpaid, to a family member, friend or neighbour who would otherwise not be able to manage on their own. The person you care for may have a physical or learning disability, dementia, mental health problems, may misuse drugs or alcohol or may be ill or frail. The person may live with you or elsewhere, may be an adult or a child but if they rely on you for support, then you’re a carer.  Even if you just pop by with some shopping from time to time.

Please let us know you’re a carer, either by telling the clinician at your next appointment, by telling reception or by completing this online form. We’d like to offer you an Annual Health Check to ensure your own health needs are regularly assessed. It’s easy to put others first, we want to make sure we support you too.

Help and Information for Carers

Carers UK provides practical help as well as a supportive community for this rewarding but sometimes isolating role.
https://www.carersuk.org or telephone helpline number:  0808 808 7777 (Mondays and Tuesdays: 10am -4pm)

Carers Bucks is a free service for unpaid (usually family or partner) carers in Buckinghamshire. They support the wellbeing of carers of all ages and in different caring roles.
You can speak to an experienced Support Worker in confidence, either over the telephone 0300 777 2722; by email at mail@carersbucks.org; or by appointment at their office in Aylesbury.
https://www.carersbucks.org/

Carers Oxfordshire is a free service which offers information, advice and support to anyone over 18 looking after another person aged 18 and over who could not manage without this help, in Oxfordshire.
http://www.carersoxfordshire.org.uk  tel: 0345 050 7666

Online forums

There are online forums available if you’d prefer to seek advice and support from others in a similar situation:

A local carer’s blog

If your time is tight, try this local blog. Maud cares for her mother-in-law, Marj, who lives with dementia. Maud works and has a family too, so finding the extra help she needs in Oxon and Bucks has been vital and she shares it freely on her website. Maud has lots of useful tips and links gathered from a local’s perspective that make everyone’s life easier, saves time and money. You can also sign up for monthly emails.

www.maudandmum.com

Young Carers

Young Carers are children and young people (under 18), who care for a member of their family who may be ill, have a physical or learning disability, or a mental health, drug or alcohol problem.

Sometimes children providing care to another person have their own support needs, or put their health, development, or education at risk. If you feel your child has support needs in relation to the care they are providing / intending to provide, then please ask professionals such as the child’s school teacher to complete an Early Help Assessment.

What might a young carer do?

  • Practical tasks, such as cooking, housework and shopping.
  • Physical care, such as helping someone out of bed.
  • Emotional support, such as talking to someone who is distressed.
  • Personal care, such as helping someone dress.
  • Managing the family budget and collecting prescriptions.
  • Helping to give medicine.
  • Helping someone communicate.
  • Looking after brothers and sisters

For further information and support please see the following resources:

Support Groups

There are many support groups available for carers including groups specifically for Young Carers, and carers of people living with dementia. See more information here

Support for Bereaved Carers

If you have been caring for someone who has recently passed away, you may be feeling lonely, isolated and confused. You are not alone and there are services available to support you too.

If you are a carer whose life has been impacted by the recent bereavement of someone you loved, cared about and provided caring support for, then a Bereavement Support service may be helpful. Find more advice at:

Further Information for Carers

There is a wealth of information on the NHS website about carers and caring. See here for a number of videos that might be useful on a number of topics including:

  • Caring for a patient
  • Taking a break
  • Housing, finance and law
  • Benefits for carers

Watch this video on: caring for a parent at home

Caring responsibilities can make it difficult to maintain friendships or develop new ones. Telling your friends you’re a carer is important so they understand and can support you.

Caring for someone can be a full-time job, but it’s essential that you take time out for yourself too. Read our guide to accessing breaks and respite.

Finding appropriate housing, or adapting your home or the home of the person you care for can make everyone’s life easier.

Help claiming benefits, looking after your bank balance and understanding the legal issues of caring.

Finance & Law

Directing carers to the benefits that can help them in their caring

Advice and information helping carers receive the benefits that they’re entitled to

Advice and information helping the person cared for receive the benefits they’re entitled to. How your benefits may be affected after the death of the person you looked after and what happens to their benefits

Advice for when carers find they have to take over the legal affairs of the person they are looking after

Advice for carers and the people they are looking after on claiming a whole host of other benefits unrelated to their disability or caring role

Advice on keeping a tight rein on household and personal finance for carers