Carers

A carer is a person who looks after a relative, friend or neighbour who is finding life difficult to manage without help. This may because of illness, disability or old age. The time spent caring ranges from a few hours per week to 24-hour attention

What problems does this bring the carer?

Lack of time for living their own lives
Competing demands of other responsibilities
Financial
Isolation
Stress
Resentment

Some or all of the following may be useful to contact:

Your G.P. (for help with those who are being cared for).
Durham and Chester le Street Carers Support. (tel: 0300 0051213).
A Social Worker for possible help with things like home help, meals on wheels and respite care.
A Welfare Rights Officer for advice about possible financial help

How can a carer help himself or herself?
In general, increasing the opportunities for self care. This may take the following forms:

Sharing the caring, which makes time for the carer’s personal enjoyment.
Writing a ‘menu’ of enjoyable activities which the carer can choose from when the opportunity arises.
Eating well.
Suitable physical activity.
Learning to relax and rest.
Developing a support network based on friends and family as well as using any of the contacts below.

Useful sources of Information:

Carers UK,
20 Great Dover Street,
London
SE1 4LX

Carer’s line telephone: 0808 808 7777 (10.00 – 4.00p.m. weekdays)

Website: www.carersuk.org

Email: advice@carersuk.org

Durham County Carers Support
Suite 3, Avenue House,
Greenwell Road
Newton Aycliffe
DL5 4DH

Telephone: 0300 005 1213

Website: www.dccarers.org

Email: admin@dccarers.org

Young Carers

http://www.countydurhamfamilies.info/kb5/durham/fsd/organisation.page?id=MC512uPyJxw

https://www.family-action.org.uk/