Support services
This page gives some useful information about the support available to you as a carer, both in the short and long term.
Day-to-day support services
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:
- providing support at day centres
- arranging and providing home care help
- finding a more suitable home for the person you care for
- providing and arranging residential care
Day care centres
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.
Help at home
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 about this.
Residential care and nursing homes
Residential care and nursing homes are for people who can no longer cope at home and need support with their 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
Your local Health and Social Care Trust may have a list of local carers' groups. You can contact the Carer Co-ordinator in your local Health and Social Care Trust to find out what's available.
Other support services for carers
There is a range of services and facilities that can help you to care for the person you are looking after and promote their independence, that go beyond traditional social care services. This includes special transport schemes, the blue badge parking permits and the Motability scheme, which gives access to mobility scooters or adapted cars.
You can click on the link below to find contact details of organisations providing this additional support to carers.
NIE Critical Care Register
The Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE) Critical Care Register is a priority information service for their customers who rely on life-saving electrical equipment for their health care needs.
When registered with NIE’s Critical Care Service, you and the person you care for will be provided with the most up to date information during a power cut or a planned interruption in electricity supply. If you phone NIE as a registered critical care customer, they will recognise your number and your call will be given priority.
For more information or to request a registration form, phone NIE on 08457 643 643 or visit their website.
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