Who cares...: 1 in 10 of us apparently... - Lung Conditions C...

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Who cares...

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13 years ago•7 Replies

1 in 10 of us apparently!

If you provide unpaid support to someone living with an illness or disability who could not manage without your help, you are a 'Carer'.

The Carers Trust predict that 1 in 10 people registered at a GP surgery are carers.

The Carers Trust (collaboration of The Princess Royal Trust For Carers and Crossroads - 2 national carers organisations) have launched the Caring About Carers Award 2012.

If you have have received good support from your GP in your caring role, you can nominate them for the award!

Click here for details. Deadline is 22nd June.

carers.org/news/one-ten-cou...

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Surgery

7 Replies

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13 years ago

wish i had a carer / partner.. someone to help me put the bins out, clean the bathroom, shop, hoover, anything really.. admit to giant dose of the green eyed monster on this one.P.

Daxiemad• in reply to13 years ago

Parvati in respect of putting the bins out, if you are referring to putting your rubbish out in the right place for collection by your local council, get in touch and ask for assisted collection. I do this and my local bin men come into the garden and collect now!

13 years ago

Both Parvati and Stitch could benefit from looking into Crossroads Care Sceme (now part of the merged Carers Trust).

carers.org/what-crossroads-...

Crossroads Care schemes are a network of 76 local independent charities providing support to carers and the people they care for, often through the provision of flexible breaks; where a trained carer support worker comes into the home to take over the caring responsibilities.

Parvati - you may also need to have an assessment of your needs from Social Services. Contact your local authority to request one. The needs assessment should show where you are needing some support. They will either then arrange for a service for you or give you Direct payments for you to choose the services you want.

Call the BLF Helpline for more information on how both you (and your family or friends who help you) can get the support your need.

03000 030 555

13 years ago

Thank you Katie, I will look into it and let you know how I get on

I was offered help a year or so ago but turned it down - I wrongly imagined it was all to do with someone bathing me and I'm not quite ready for that yet! They did say to get in touch if I changed my mind and perhaps the time has come for that. I do feel guilty about it though as I can still walk quite well, though I do find some household things too much and they tend to get left. The worst is a shower and washing my hair, even though I have a shower seat, though I am not ready to let anyone help in that department lol. I am at fev29% and have overnight and ambulatory oxygen, so whether that would 'qualify' me as severe enough for help I don't know , but I will find about it as you suggested. Many thanks, Parvati

derrylynne13 years ago

I have to admit to having had a hard job getting into the mindset of my wife being my carer. To me she is my wife, and of course is always willing to do things for me. But yes she is my carer, an unpaid carer at that. She does up my shoe laces and runs many errands that make my life so very much easier. If I really gave it thought I would be in a right pickle without her. I think we just don't realise at times or ask the question. How would i manage without my partner. In my case badly.

Eviex13 years ago

No way in hell would I nominate my Gp, wouldn't waste my time.. My daughter yes, I would nominate her, the friend that pops in for an hour a day I would nominate her too..

Daxiemad13 years ago

My partner was my official carer for 3 years and I really struggled to deal with that, at such a young age (how stupid is that) I felt ashamed that I needed help. Now he has returned to work full time, I have become more independent again, because I did find that he felt obliged to do so much because he was home all the time. There are still loads of things he does for me outside of work and I can truly say life without his support would be incredibly difficult, but at the same time glad we have some time apart because I can be my own person without him feeling like he has to do everything.