A carer is a person who looks after a relative, friend or neighbour who is finding life difficult to manage without help. This may because of illness, disability or old age. The time spent caring ranges from a few hours per week to 24-hour attention
What problems does this bring the carer?
- Lack of time for living their own lives
- Competing demands of other responsibilities
- Financial
- Isolation
- Stress
- Resentment
Some or all of the following may be useful to contact:
- Your G.P. (for help with those who are being cared for).
- Durham and Chester le Street Carers Support. (tel: 0300 0051213).
- A Social Worker for possible help with things like home help, meals on wheels and respite care.
- A Welfare Rights Officer for advice about possible financial help
How can a carer help himself or herself?
In general, increasing the opportunities for self care. This may take the following forms:
- Sharing the caring, which makes time for the carer’s personal enjoyment.
- Writing a ‘menu’ of enjoyable activities which the carer can choose from when the opportunity arises.
- Eating well.
- Suitable physical activity.
- Learning to relax and rest.
- Developing a support network based on friends and family as well as using any of the contacts below.
Useful sources of Information:
Carers UK,
20 Great Dover Street,
London
SE1 4LX
Carer’s line telephone: 0808 808 7777 (10.00 – 4.00p.m. weekdays)
Website: www.carersuk.org
Email: advice@carersuk.org
Durham County Carers Support
Suite 3, Avenue House,
Greenwell Road
Newton Aycliffe
DL5 4DH
Telephone: 0300 005 1213
Website: www.dccarers.org
Email: admin@dccarers.org
Young Carers
http://www.countydurhamfamilies.info/kb5/durham/fsd/organisation.page?id=MC512uPyJxw
https://www.family-action.org.uk/
Care and Support in Durham
Website: www.durhamlocate.org.uk