Support for Carers

Dr Kas

Dr Kas

There are just under 6 million unpaid carers in the UK, and there could be many more beyond that figure.

A carer is anyone who looks after a family member, partner or friend who cannot cope without their support due to illness, disability, mental health issues or ageing. Recognising yourself as a carer is important not only because you're finally starting to give yourself some credit for the amazing work you're doing, but it also opens the door to support, advice, and financial help that you may not realise you needed or had access to.

For useful information about the resources available for carers, click on the below links:

It's important for carers to look after themselves and their own health too. For more information on how to do this, click here.

There is also technology available to ease the physical pressure of caring for someone, click here.

Dr Kas provided some advice on how you can help someone who is currently caring for a loved one:

  1. Listen - Often one of the most important ways that we can help someone is by just listening. It is important for carers to offload their emotional stresses, and just being there to listen can be a great help.

  2. Don't ask, just do - Often being a carer involves tasks including cleaning, cooking, or just sitting and having a conversation with the person they care for. Asking them if they need a hand is a perfectly well-intended gesture, but carers can be selfless. Make some food and bring it round, turn up at the house (at a reasonable time!), and offer to help with the cleaning. Even if it's something small you can do once per week, it can make a huge difference.

  3. Offer to run errands - Errands can be time-consuming, so you could offer to go to the supermarket for them or organise an online food delivery.

  4. Respite Care - Encourage your family or friends who are carers to take some respite care regularly. Let them know that they have a support network to help share the work.