Carers

What is a Carer

A carer is anyone, including children and adults who looks after a family member, partner or friend who needs help because of their illness, frailty, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction and cannot cope without their support. The care they give is unpaid.

This means that the sort of roles and responsibilities that carers have to provide varies widely

Carers help with:

washing, dressing or taking medicines
getting out and about and travelling to doctors’ appointments
shopping, cleaning and laundry
paying bills and organising finances

They can also give emotional support by:

sitting with someone to keep them company
watching over someone if they can’t be left alone

It can be difficult for carers to see their caring role as separate from the relationship they have with the person for whom they care, whether that relationship is as a parent, child, sibling, partner, or a friend.

It’s likely that every one of us will have caring responsibilities at some time in our lives with the challenges faced by carers taking many forms. Many carers juggle their caring responsibilities with work, study and other family commitments. Some, in particular younger carers, are not known to be carers. They don’t tell relatives, friends or health and care professionals about their responsibilities because of a fear of separation, guilt, pride or other reasons.

Why should I let my GP know?

It is important you register as a carer with your GP surgery so they can include it on your medical record. Caring can take its toll on your health and so it’s helpful for your GP to know about any extra pressures you are facing that might have an impact on your physical health or emotional wellbeing.

If your GP knows that you are a carer, they may be able to offer more tailored advice and additional support. For example, they can help you understand what you’re entitled to as a carer – such as a free flu jab.

How our Social Prescriber might be able to support you as a carer

Social prescribers offer practical support to help people to make improvements to the aspects of their lives that are impacting their health and wellbeing, but which are not medical issues. Social prescribing can help carers to stay healthy, well and connected to their community.

Your appointment with a social prescriber will enable you the time and space to consider ‘what matters to me’ and to be supported to take the steps towards your goals. Whether that’s benefitting from the social prescribers knowledge of local support groups, benefits forms, or finding and accessing respite care.

A clinician may refer you to the social prescriber, or you can self refer.