Carers

Are you looking after someone?

Many people don’t recognise themselves as a carer. A carer is somebody, of any age, who provides support or who looks after a family member, partner or friend who needs help because of frailty, physical or mental illness, or disability. This would not usually include someone paid or employed to carry out that role, or someone who is a volunteer.

The council and NHS recognise the valuable work carers do and commission a range of support to help. Some of these services are explained in the following sections of this guide.

Carers’ benefits

You may be eligible for Carer’s Allowance/Carer’s Credit if you are caring for someone for at least 35 hours a week. The Government’s website at

Your GP team

You can register with your GP as a carer and have this recorded on your medical records. Once the GP team knows that you are a carer, and likely to be under pressure at times, they will find it easier to offer information, advice and support. Your GP team may be able to help you by:

• Providing information and advice on medical conditions of and treatments for the person being cared for.

• Providing information and advice on services provided by the NHS such as continence services

If you think you could be a carer or know someone who is, contact the Gloucestershire Carers Hub or see page 41. Visit www.gloucestershirecarershub.co.uk or www.yourcircle.org.uk

National information and advice

Carers Trust Web: www.carers.org

Carers UK Web: www.carersuk.org www.gov.uk/carers-allowance has more information on carers’ benefits, or you can contact the Carers Hub on 0300 111 9000 and patient transport to hospital appointments.

• Carrying out home visits or online appointments, if caring responsibilities make it difficult to get to GP appointments.

• Arranging appointments for both you and the person you care for at the same time to avoid you having to visit the surgery twice.

• Encouraging and suggesting ways for you to look after your health and wellbeing on a daily basis.