Are you a carer?
Becoming a carer often just happens - you're simply 'getting on' with looking after the person that you care for.
Many people will say they are just doing what anyone else would do in the same circumstances - and don't see their caring role as something which impacts on their own time, energy and daily living. If you are providing unpaid support to a partner, child, relative, friend or neighbour who can't manage without your help- you are probably a carer, and could be entitled to further help.
For more information on any of the issues raised below, please contact us:
0800 652 6352 (freephone)
info@muscular-dystrophy.org
You may find the following points useful to consider:
| a carer is not |
someone employed and receiving payment for looking after someone, for example a care assistant in a nursing home. |
|
a carer is |
someone who provides unpaid support to someone who, because of their age, illness or disability, can't manage without their help. |
|
a carer’s assesment |
identifies your needs as a carer - you have a legal right to a carer's assesment. This is your chance to talk with social services about what support would help maintain your own overall health and wellbeing - balancing caring with other aspects of your life, like work and family. Social services use this assessment to decide what assistance is needed. |
|
charges for carer services |
you could be provided with some services that assist you in your caring role for free. You may be asked to pay some money towards other services but you will not be charged for any of the services provided to the person you care for. |
|
support for young carers |
anyone under the age of 18 who is providing support that would normally be given by an adult is a young carer. You should not have the caring responsibilities of an adult at this age. Your local authority has a responsibility to make sure that your education and general well-being are not affected by your caring responsibilities. |
|
family needs assessment |
if you care for a disabled child, the social services department of your local council will assess your family's needs. You can contact them directly or ask your doctor to contact them on your behalf. |
|
carers legal rights |
in 2004, the government introduced the Carers (Equal Opportunities) Act. The Act seeks to ensure that carers are identified and informed of their rights, that their needs for education, training, employment and leisure are taken into consideration and that public bodies recognise and support carers. |
| caring with confidence |
is a FREE programme for carers aged 18 and over in England. It could help make a positive difference to the life of anyone looking after a friend or relative- and to the life of the person you care for. The programme helps build on your skills and knowledge and can be accessed through local group sessions or at home using workbooks or the internet. For more information, visit Caring with Confidence or contact: 0800 849 2349. |
|
more information |
about your rights as a carer, the processes to follow and who to contact for further support, please visit the DirectGov website or the The Princess Royal Trust for Carers and Carers UK websites. YCNet is a popular online community for young carers. For more information on the range of information and services available through the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign, please see our How we help you section. |
