When you're caring for an adult who is frail or vulnerable, perhaps because they are old or have health problems, there are likely to be times when you could do with some kind of support to take the pressure off yourself. Maybe you would like someone to take on some of the care for a while, or want some time to yourself.
If you want to plan support for the person you look after then our following pages may be of particular interest to you:
And if you are looking after someone with dementia, a mental health problem or a learning disability then the following pages will also be useful:
Your local social services may also be able to help. In order to work out if you are eligible for support as a carer, and to see how much help you need to make life easier for you, they will need to carry out a carer's assessment with you.
After the assessment they will identify and agree your needs with you and discuss the help and support available to meet them.
When completing the carer's assessment they may also offer to assess the needs of the person you look after.
The amount you pay for support will depend on what services you receive and your financial circumstances. This will be explained to you as part of the carer's assessment process.
The Carers Network is the main organisation in Kensington and Chelsea, and Westminster, providing support and information for unpaid adult carers looking after someone over 18.
You can find their details, and various other organisations and groups offering support and activities on these pages:-
Our Events calendar offers information on support groups and other activities for carers in your area.
You may find that you will not be eligible for financial help from your local council to arrange support at home. Or you may simply prefer to make your own arrangements - this will give you greater flexibility and choice over your support.
Our Support in your home page will tell you more about arranging support privately at home.
The Independent Age website provides a advice on their What Support for Carers page.
Carers UK is a charity set up to help the millions of people who look after an older, disabled or seriously ill family member or friend.
They provide lots of information on caring, and a YouTube channel with lots of useful advice
The Carers Trust offers information on what the role of a carer can mean, and some key facts for carers and the people they care for.
The following websites all provide independent information and advice on caring for someone with dementia:
The My Ageing Parent website put together ten top tips for looking after a relative with dementia. (This website is no longer live)
The Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) has produced a film which reminds us that although dementia causes the loss of some abilities, people's feelings remain intact. The people in this film talk about their emotions, and give a deeply moving and personal insight into an often overlooked aspect of the condition.
Rethink provide specialist advice for the carers of people with mental health problems.
Mind, a national mental health charity, also provide specialist advice for carers.
The NHS website offers advice to the carers of people with depression.
Full of Life’s Carers’ Advocacy Service provides independent practical support, advice and information in Social Care, Benefits, Health and Education for parent carers in Kensington and Chelsea. For more information about Full of Life's Carers Advocacy Service call 020 8962 9917 or Email advocacy@fulloflifekc.com (Mon-Fri 10am-5pm, appointment only)