Recognising Carers

Carers Support in West Sussex have more than 30,000 carers registered with them, providing them with support groups, carer benefits advice, services and equipment, but how many carers are there who are still unidentified?

Many people are carers and do not realise they are. This may be because they feel it is simply their duty, for example if they are looking after a family member, or they may not wish to be labelled as a carer. Care might be short term, after an injury say, or it might be a young member of the family taking care of a parent.

Care might be popping round to a neighbour with some shopping, or helping a friend to a hospital appointment. It might be full time caring for a spouse with dementia or a child with mental health difficulties.

Carers come in all shapes and sizes, all ages, genders, nationalities and social groups. And because of this incredibly broad reach it is very difficult to identify people as carers, and for them to recognise themselves as such.

The NHS define carers as ‘A carer is anyone, including children and adults who looks after a family member, partner or friend who needs help because of their illness, frailty, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction and cannot cope without their support.’

Carers Support are helping carers to self identify so they can access the support available to them. Once the carer recognises themselves in a caring role, they should register with Carers Support and inform their GP. When Are you a carer? Or not sure if you are one? Sara Whatley has been talking to Christine Virginie at Carers Support West Sussex, working with and for unpaid carers a carer registers with Carers Support, this opens the door to access many free services, such as a carer assessment, a 1:1 carer benefit advice session, help with contingency planning not to mention the wellbeing grant and support groups available.

Support groups are vital for carers, helping them to feel less isolated and lonely. Talking to someone who understands your situation can be

RECOGNISING Carers invaluable. There are also grants and funding available to help carers have a short break or enhance their life by joining a gym or embarking on an educational course; basically giving something back to the carer and helping them to recharge. Carers Support’s vision is to bring the day forward when family and friend carers are seen, heard and included. Winter brings a whole host of added pressures to a carer’s role, but Carers Support are running a winter Bring the day forward when campaign to help alleviate pressures family and friend carers are seen, heard, and included like; stress, mental health problems, combating isolation, and time away from caring. Carers Support encourage flu vaccination uptake this winter and to think about who relies on you and what would happen in the event of an emergency, which comes back to help with contingency planning. Whatever your caring role, Carers Support are here to provide guidance, information and support. Contact Carers Support today to find out how you can access services to help you in your caring role. Carers Support are there to work with and for family and friend carers. l www.carerssupport.org.uk

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Rustington Hall

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Property Services

Rustington OG Hall

Oakhurst Gardens Nursing and Care Home

Rustington Hall is a not-for-profit charitable organisation, run by Littlehampton and Rustington Housing Society. It is a dualmeditation/prayer room. When the weather allows, residents enjoy sitting outside in the communal grounds, which include secluded registered nursing and care home, meaning that as a residents’ needs change from caring to nursing, their environment does not need to change. We cater for all needs, from respite to long-term, and provide a friendly home-from‘ ‘ Littlehampton & Rustington Housing Society is a not-for-profit charitable organisation, providing quality care and housing solutions since 1948 home for up to 61 residents. We have a carefully selected team here who are all devoted to making sure that our residents are at the forefront of everything we do. We are very proud of who we are and what we represent, in working together to provide a community for residents and their families alike. Wellbeing of our residents is such an important part of our residents stay and it is vital that all our residents have a sense of this. Our wellbeing team love to engage and get to know our residents by offering a huge variety of entertainment and activities. We have an extensive programme of activities including quizzes, film afternoons, games, and a range of animal visitors! We also have monthly themed events, which the residents love participating in, such as Ascot Day, Mad Hatters Tea Party, Masquerade Ball and Country & Western Day, to name a few. For those that stay in their rooms, we have a trolley that travels around the Home, offering puzzles, books, colouring and games. The carers provide one-to-one interaction, including using our incredible Omni-projector that is indescribable… it needs to be seen to be appreciated! Our large, modern lounge leads onto a wheelchair-friendly decking area. We also have a dedicated activities suite, quiet lounge, and gardens, courtyard, terraces, verandas and a spacious wooden gazebo. In the latest CQC report, Rustington Hall nursing & care home achieved Good overall, with Outstanding in Responsiveness. The CQC inspectors, who visited in April 2021, noted: “Without exception, everyone we spoke with talked about the fantastic care they received at Rustington Hall. Everyone was happy to be living there and spoke positively about all aspects of the service.” The report also praises staff, saying they “had excellent knowledge of people and there was a focus on the individual and on tailoring care and providing activities which were meaningful to them”. “Relatives spoke of the incredible support they had received from staff and of the wonderful photos and videos they received of their loved one.” So, if you are looking for quality residential or nursing care for yourself or a loved one, call Rustington Hall Nursing and Care Home on 01903 777501 or email reception@rustingtonhall.co.uk