Carers Direct

Are You a Carer?

If you are please let us know – we may be able to help you

Caring for a loved one can be hard, but by registering with the Carer’s Register at the surgery, carers can access a wealth of support.

“Many people who care for loved ones or family members are hidden,” says Dr Gill Fargher, GP Member, NHS Medway Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).

“Young carers in particular keep quiet about what they do and many husbands, wives and other relatives care for family members but see it as part of their role and are too proud to consider support.”

“But caring for someone who is disabled or unwell can be stressul and can have a detrimental effect on the carer’s health and wellbeing, which is why we’re encouraging everyone who looks after someone to get in touch and see what support is available.”

NHS Medway CCG is also encouraging people who look after loved ones to let their GP practice know so they can be added to the Carers’ Register which helps GPs make sure carers receive the support they need.

The GP practice can then refer carers to Carers FIRST in Kent & Medway, who have been funded to administer the Carer’s Support Payment, which is one-off funding for carers who care for someone for more than 20 hours per week.

Carers FIRST in Kent & Medway can be contacted by phone on 0300 303 155 or by visiting www.carersfirst.org.uk for information regarding eligibility and support to access the funding.

There is also 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?

Carers support groups

Finance and 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