Services for carers

Who is a carer?

Carers regularly look after, help or support someone who wouldn’t be able to manage everyday life without their help. A carer doesn’t have to be living with the person they care for, and the help the carer gives doesn’t have to be physical. The carer may be caring for a partner, another relative, a friend or a neighbour. For example, it may be someone who:

• is over 60;

• is living with dementia;

• has a physical or learning disability or a mental health condition;

• has sight, hearing or communication difficulties;

This combined resource helps people to regain their independence and feel confident in their ability to manage for themselves with any necessary additional support.

Intermediate care, including any care home fees where relevant, is provided by the NHS and is free. It is usually limited to a maximum of six weeks. If, after this, you have ongoing care or support needs, the council will conduct an assessment and may help you to arrange any services you might need. There may be a charge for these services.

People eligible for NHS Continuing Healthcare will have been assessed to have a ‘primary health need’ and are likely to have complex medical needs and substantial or intense ongoing care needs.

See page 50 for more information.

The aim is to enable people with long-term conditions and disabilities to have greater choice, flexibility and control over the healthcare and support they receive.

• has a long-term health condition; or

• misuses drugs or alcohol.

The carer may be helping with:

• personal care, such as washing and dressing;

• going to the toilet or dealing with incontinence;

• eating or taking medicines;

• getting about at home or outside;

• practical help at home and keeping someone company; or

• emotional support or communicating.