This article deals with the support available to you as a carer, both in the short and long term.
Day-to-day support services could allow you to go to work or take a break during the day. They could also help you when the person you care for needs specialist care or a substantial amount of looking after. Although you access their services through your local trust, they may work with other agencies to provide different types of support - for example, charities and private sector organisations. This can include:
Many parts of the country have day care centres. They will benefit both you as a carer and the person you care for by giving you both a break. Day centres provide a range of care services for people with different disabilities.
The needs' assessment of the person you care for may state that visits to a day centre are part of the support that they, and you, receive. In this case, your local trust must make sure this happens.
The following link will let you enter details of where you live and then take you to your local trust website where you can find out more about day centres in your local area.
There are many ways you can receive help at home for the person you care for. Home care workers who provide this support have differing roles too.
Home help assistants carry out tasks like cleaning, shopping and preparing meals. Domiciliary care workers provide 'personal care', for example helping someone go to the toilet or get washed and dressed. You may be able to choose to employ people to help with care at home on your own. You should seek advice from your local trust.
Residential care and nursing homes are for people who can no longer cope at home and need support with their personal care. Some can offer short-term stays to the person you care for, to let you have a break. Often they are for more long-term or permanent care. Homes can be run by your local trust, private companies and voluntary organisations.
Your local trust is the first place to turn for support and advice about caring for someone.
Caring for someone