Carers Support
Upcoming Months
As we welcome in the autumnal months, we have attached for you the Groups Calendars for what we have in store throughout the next two months here at Carers Count.
https://carerscount.org.uk/contingency-planning.php
Are You a Carer?
For those of our patients who are acting as unpaid carers, we are working to support the new local initiative to provide them with quick and easy access to support.
If you are please let us know - we may be able to help you.
Carers Champions
Here at Kirkburton Health Centre, we have a designated Carers Champion, Clare is a dedicated member of the Health Care Team. We have a dedicated Carer's board on display in the practice with various details of help and support that is available. We also have regular coffee mornings here at the practice for carers.
Carers Count
Carers Count is a “one stop shop” for advice and support. Read more about the support they can offer here. Or call them on 03000120231.
Please let us know if you act as the carer for somebody else or if you have a named carer.
At Carers Count we recognise that being a carer can impact on your day to day life significantly, including, emotionally (it can be both rewarding and isolating), financially (you may be unable to work)and physically (your own health can suffer as a result).
Carers Count has been set up to promote the wellbeing of carers so they can continue in their caring role and to make sure that carers get the benefits and services they are entitled to.
Services Include:
- Providing quality advice and information
- Running groups, activities and sessions.
- Providing support and helping carers to support each other.
- Advocacy Service
- Bereavement Groups
- Training Courses
- Help in planning for the future
- Tea and Coffee meetings
- Group Sessions
- Helping to raise awareness of carers rights and issues to the wider public.
Any carer contacting and using the service can expect;
- To be listened to and taken seriously
- To be treated with respect.
- To be supported in a way that meets their individual needs
If you are or have been a carer and would like to gain support from our service or advice and information please get in touch.
Website for Carers count http://www.carerscount.org.uk
This website offers links on current information which may affect you as a carer and information on events and services that Carers Count provides. We also have a facebook page which we would love for you to 'like' to gain access to the current updates at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Carers-Count/274535789350172
Carers Court Weekly Email
This week we are promoting a large trial for internet-based self help made available for those caring for someone with Dementia. The service is being offered for iACT4Carers and further information can be found below as well as an accompanying flyer on how to take part:
iACT4Carers:
Iact4carers is an online programme tailored for family carers who look after someone who has dementia. This programme is based on evidence-based psychotherapy called Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.
Acceptance and Commitment therapy focuses on helping people to manage difficult or troubling thoughts and feelings whilst still trying to do activities that still matter to them.
Iact4carers can be accessed on people’s tablets, phones or computers.
The programme has 8 online sessions and participants will be asked to complete self-learning activities. Such as watching videos to learn new psychological skills in each session in their own time.
Each session will take around 40-60 minutes to complete each week.
Each participant will be given a therapist who will respond to any questions to support their completion of each weekly session.
In addition, carers will also have the opportunity to directly talk to the therapist at the beginning and in the middle of the programme. Either by telephone or video call.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Family carers of people living with dementia
- Aged 18 and over.
- And providing support to a family member living with dementia.
- Family carer who is experiencing some worries or distress and be willing to accept online support for this.
- Have access to a tablet, computer or smartphone and have internet access
In order to take part, please contact iACT4Carers via email at iact4carers.study@uea.ac.uk
As always, if there is anything further we can assist with, please don't hesitate to call on 0300 012 0231 and select option 2.
NHS Links
There is a wealth of information on NHS Choices about carers and caring. Below are some links into the site that we hope you will find useful.
- Caring for a parent
Watch this video on: caring for a parent at home
- Telling people
Caring responsibilities can make it difficult to maintain friendships or develop new ones. Telling your friends you're a carer is important so they understand and can support you.
- Taking a break
Caring for someone can be a full-time job, but it's essential that you take time out for yourself too. Read our guide to accessing breaks and respite.
- Housing and carers
Do you know your tenancy rights as a carer? Are you aware of all your care at home options? Do you need tips on moving someone around the home?
Finance & Law
Help claiming benefits, looking after your bank balance and understanding the legal issues of caring.
- Benefits for carers
Directing carers to the benefits that can help them in their caring role
- Benefits for the person you care for
Advice and information on helping the person you look after get the benefits that they are entitled to
- Death and benefits
How your benefits maybe affected after the death of the person you look after and what happens to their benefits
- Managing someone's legal affairs
Advice for when carers find they have to take over the legal affairs of the person they are looking after
- Other benefits
Advice for carers and the people they are looking after on claiming a whole host of other benefits unrelated to their disability or caring
- Personal and household finance
Advice on keeping a tight rein on household and personal finance for carers
- Social fund
- Tax credits
Information on claiming tax credits and whether you might be eligible