Are you a carer?
Helping or supporting a family member, friend or neighbour who needs help because of their illness, frailty, disability, mental health problem or addiction is a difficult and, often, under-recognised role. Many people who do this do not identify themselves as carers. We recognise it is important that carers stay as fit and healthy as possible, therefore we want to give additional support to our patients who are undertaking caring roles. We can only do this if you let us know you are a carer and register yourself as a carer using the Carer Registration Form (see below) or advising our reception team.
Your GP needs to know so you can be offered the right information, support and access to services. GP surgeries have to compile information for the government about the numbers of carers attached to the surgery so your information will help them to do this.
Support for carers of all ages
Being a carer is physically and emotionally demanding. It is important that carers feel supported in fulfilling this crucial role. Please see below for sources of support for carers:
Local organisations
- The Care Services Directory outlines many local services to help with finding residential care, specialist care services and local care services including information about how to access adaptations for your home (https://www.carechoices.co.uk/publication/stoke-on-trent-care-services-directory/)
- North Staffs Carers (https://www.carersfirst.com/) provides support for adult and young carers
- Staffordshire Together for Carers Service (https://www.n-compass.org.uk/our-services/carers/staffordshire-together-for-carers-service) provides information, advice and support services for adult and young carers
National organisations
- Age UK (https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/care/helping-a-loved-one/)
- Care Choices (https://www.carechoices.co.uk/find-care-services-near-you/) for help with finding care homes, home care, live-in care, dementia care and palliative care
- Carers Trust (https://carers.org/) a UK-wide network of local carer organisations
- Carers UK (https://www.carersuk.org/) provides support for unpaid carers throughout the UK
- Citizens Advice Bureau (https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/family/looking-after-people/carers-help-and-support/)
- NHS social care and support guide (https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/social-care-and-support-guide/)
- The Carents Room provides support for adults caring for elderly parents/relatives (https://carents.co.uk/)
- Young carers information (https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/social-care-and-support-guide/support-and-benefits-for-carers/help-for-young-carers/)
Caring in specific circumstances
- Alzheimer’s Society advice on getting help and support as a carer for someone with dementia (https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/get-support/help-dementia-care/looking-after-yourself)
- Cancer Research UK (https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/coping/family-friends-caregivers/taking-care-of-yourself)
- Macmillan Cancer Support (https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/supporting-someone/looking-after-someone-with-cancer)
- Marie Curie (https://www.mariecurie.org.uk/help/support/being-there/support-carers/your-needs) provide advice for carers who are supporting someone with a terminal illness
- Motor Neurone Disease Association (https://www.mndassociation.org/support-and-information/for-carers/support-for-carers)
- Parkinson’s Disease UK (https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/information-and-support/caring-someone-parkinsons)
- Sue Ryder (https://www.sueryder.org/end-of-life-care/supporting-someone-near-the-end-of-their-life/coping-as-a-carer/) provide advice for carers who are supporting someone nearing the end of their life
There is more information about help with day-to-day living because of illness or disability on the NHS website.