Carers FIRSTin Kent & Medway

FIRST Choice for Carers

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‘someone in an unpaid capacity who provides care and support to another person’

Kent Carers’ Information Booklet

Over 151,000 Carers in Kent

Carers’ Health and Well-beingAs a Carer it is important to look after your own health and wellbeing. It is easy to forget your own health needs when you are caring for someone. No matter how much you care about the person you are supporting, caring can place demands on you and can have an impact on your own physical and mental health.

It can be difficult to have a good night’s sleep if the person for whom you care needs help or disturbs you in the night. You may feel isolated and that you have no time to yourself. Your local Carers’ Support Organisations can provide you with emotional support.

Many Carers also develop physical injuries, e.g. back strain, as a result of lifting and moving someone. It is important not to ignore your own health needs when your attention is focused on caring. You should arrange a health check if you have not seen your GP for some time. It is important that you tell your GP that you are a Carer, this will help him or her to understand the support that you need.

Carers often put their own needs last. It is important to remember, the better your own health and well-being, the better you will be able to cope with your caring role.

Your local Carer’s Support Organisation can give you more information on health checks.

Carers’ AssessmentsA Carer’s Assessment is an opportunity for you to tell someone what impact caring has on you and your life.

• Most Carers have a legal right to an assessment of their own needs. • A Carer’s Assessment is not linked in any way to Carer’s Allowance.• You can have a Carer’s Assessment even if the person you care for does not want to have a

Community Care Assessment to look at the help that they need. • You can find out more or request a Carer’s Assessment by contacting your local Carers’ Support

Organisation.

The assessor will look at your situation and discuss with you what might be available to make your caring role easier. This may be information, advice or additional support such as access to a short break. The assessment will normally be carried out at your home but can be elsewhere if you prefer.

The Carer’s Assessment can be carried out with or without the person you are looking after being present, it is up to you. You can also have a family member or friend with you if you wish; this should be discussed when the assessment meeting is being arranged. Your Carer’s Assessment should cover the following areas: your caring role (the things you do for the person for whom you care); your own health; your feelings and choices about caring, work, study, leisure and housing. It is important that you give as complete a picture as you can about your caring role and are as honest as you can be about the care that you provide and how you feel about being a Carer.

Organisations Providing Support & Guidance for CarersInnovations in Kent

National charity with a network of partner organisations providing services to carers. Online community with discussion boards, hosted live chats and access to online support team.0844 800 4361 | www.carers.org

Carers UK is a charity set up to help the millions of people who look after an older, disabled or seriously ill family member or friend. We want society to respect, value & support carers.0808 808 7777 | www.carersuk.org

The best place to find government services and information. Simpler, clearer, faster.www.gov.uk

Crossroads Care Kent and Medway support Carers and the people they care for. We help Carers to make a life of their own, offering peace of mind while they enjoy some time to themselves.0845 900 3735 | www.carerskm.org

Kent Young Carers is a countywide service for Young Carers across Kent. KYC will enable Young Carers to receive some respite from their caring responsibilities, socialise with their peers and receive tailored support. 0300 111 111 0 | www.vawk.org.uk

Find out what help is available for you.03000 41 61 61 | www.kent.gov.uk 03000 41 91 91 (For emergency support out of hours please call)

Nobody knows more about looking after a person than you, the Carer. Your role is crucial: society and public services could not function without the massive contribution made by over six million Carers in the UK. It is important that your views and feelings are listened to and taken into account. Your local Carers’ Support Organisation works to ensure the Carers’ perspective is recognised by Health and Social Care professionals, and also promotes opportunities for Carers to directly voice their own concerns.

Carer’s AssessmentsIn Kent, Carer’s Assessments are undertaken by local Carers’ Support Organisations on behalf of the local authority. They have in-depth experience and knowledge of Carers’ needs.

Trusted AssessorsCarers’ Support Organisations have staff who are “Trusted Assessors” that can assess for small items of equipment e.g. bath aids.

NHS Rapid Access to Carer’s SupportHealth professionals such as your GP Practice can refer you for “Rapid Access to Carer’s Support” if they feel your caring roles is affecting your health.

Accessing Carer ActivitiesCarers’ Support Organisations may be able to help with transport and respite costs should you need it, to allow you to attend groups and or training that they offer.

Short Breaks ServiceThis service can provide a “Short Break” to the Carer. This is delivered to the ‘cared for’ and may include personal care. This service includes:

• Access to 24hr flexible crisis response service – please contact your local carer’s organisation for details of this service

• Enabling Carers to attend GP, hospital appointments and other health appointments• Supporting and maintaining the caring role to help avoid unnecessary admissions into hospital and

care homes, or support on discharge from hospital• Giving you time on your own to undertake training, education or attend voluntary or paid work. • Crossroads provide this service – their contact details are shown in the list of organisations on the

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Providing a 24hrs / 7 days a week helpline for anyone needing someone to talk to.0800 107 0160 (from landline) | 0300 3305486 (from mobile) | www.liveitwell.org.uk

If you care for a relative, friend or neighbour the Kent Carer’s Support Organisations can help you by providing a range of services. To contact your local Carers’ Assessment and Support Organisation please see back cover.

For Dementia support and information.0300 222 1122 | www.alzheimers.org.uk

Carers Direct | Confidential information and advice for Carers.0300 123 1053 | www.nhs.uk/carersdirect

Kent Dementia Helpline 0800 500 3014 | Between 9am-5pm Monday – Friday

Carers Support Services Near You

3 Canterbury Street Gillingham

Kent ME7 5TP

0300 303 1555info@carersfirst.org.ukwww.carersfirst.org.uk

80 Middle Street Deal

Kent, CT14 6HL

01304 364637support@carers-doverdistrict.orgwww.carers-supportcdt.org.uk

39 - 48 Marsham Street Maidstone

Kent ME14 1HH

01622 685276carers@vam-online.org.ukwww.vam-online.org.uk

Norman House�Beaver�Business�Park�Beaver Road, Ashford

Kent TN23 7SH

01233 664393admin@carers-ashford.org.ukwww.carers-ashford.org.uk

Carers FIRST in Kent & Medway

Carers SupportAshford, Shepway

& Swale

Maidstone & Malling Carers Project

Carers’ Support Canterbury, Dover

& Thanet