Making Caring Visible has never been more important in these unprescedented times.
What do we mean by Carer?
A Carer is anyone who cares, unpaid, for a friend or family member who, due to illness, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction cannot cope without their support.
This is different from a paid care-worker.
Anyone could be a Carer, a 15-year-old girl looking after a parent with an alcohol problem, a 40-year-old man caring for his partner who has terminal cancer, or an 80-year-old woman looking after her husband who has Alzheimer’s disease.
Although for many carers, caring can positive and rewarding, there are lots of reasons why caring can also leave you needing support. It might affect your physical and emotional health, your finances, relationships, social isolation, education or career.
Do you look after someone? 5 things Carers UK recommends you do:
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Tell your friends, family, GP that you are a Carer. See the Carer registration form on the 'Our Documents' page of this website, or pop in and collect one at the surgery.
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Find out more about your health and the person you care for, their treatment and condition.
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Contact Carer Links Herefordshire and find out what practical, financial and emotional support is available. Tel: 01432 663057
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Think about making a plan in case of emergency.
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Make time for yourself today, even if its only ten minutes.
What can the surgery do for carers? 5 things we can offer :
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If you tell us about your caring responsibilities we can update your record so the GPs and Nurses know you look after someone.
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We offer a Carer Health Check with a Nurse to ensure you are on top of your health. You also get a flu jab to keep you well during the winter months.
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If you look after someone who is also a patient here we can register you as their Carer. This means that, with their consent we can talk to you about their health.
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We can work with you to try and ensure appointments are arranged in the best way possible so that visiting the surgery is as stress free as it can be for both you and the person you look after.
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We can help you to find support locally. There are a number of websites listed below which provide specific support for young carers:
Herefordshire Council has a Young Carer Service https://www.herefordshire.gov.uk/info/200147/social_care_and_support/416/carers/2
Crossroads Together offer a range of support services to carers including information and advice service, called CarerLinks. The CarerLinks team based in Hereford offer free emotional and practical support to unpaid family carers across Herefordshire, helphing them protect their health and well-being, being able to cope with their caring role.
https://www.crossroadstogether.org.uk/
Telephone service - Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm on 01432 663057
or email herefordshire@crossroadstogether.org.uk
You can also join their CarerLinks Facebook group
Hope Support Services - provide support to 11 -25 year olds when a close family member is diagnosed with a life threatening illness. http://www.hopesupport.org.uk/
No Wrong Door - offer a safe space for those aged 11 - 25 to access information, guidance and support, along with different activities that can help build skills, self-esteem and confidence. https://www.facebook.com/pg/NoWrongDoorHereford
St Michael's Hospice offer a Children and Young People's Service for anyone aged 25 and under who has a close family member diagnosed with a life threatening illness.
