Getting help in tough times

Carers Rights Day is Next Thursday (30th November).

Can you help to make sure the family, friends and carers of people with lung disease get the support they need?

“A carer is someone of any age who provides unpaid support to family or friends who could not manage without this help.”

The BLF carers report (2011) and Carers UK’s have found that many people caring for someone with a chronic illness do not identify themselves as a ‘carer’.

This means millions are missing out on the help and support they are entitled to. Even those who have been caring for years sometimes aren't aware of their entitlements.

For more information about the support for family, friends and carers, call the Helpline on 03000 030 555

Carers UK organise Carers Rights Day to make sure carers know their rights, and increase the take up of benefits and practical support available to carers. It also helps to raise awareness among the public about carers needs.

What can you do for Carers Rights Day?

Step 1: Send off for the Carers Rights Day resource pack:

carersuk.org/get-involved/c...

Step 2: Whatever you do, big or small, it will make an impact.

Here are a few ideas from Carers UK:

• Write a dedicated post about carers rights on your blog, website or here on the BLF webcommunity;

• Have an information stall at a local shopping or community centre;

• Write a letter to the Editor of your local paper requesting a feature on carers rights or your views on support for carers;

• Take part in ‘phone-ins’ with local radio stations to express your views and the group’s support for family, friends and carers;

• Write an article a local newsletter;

• Invite someone from a local carers organisation to speak at your next meeting (e.g. Crossroads, Carers UK, Carers Trust)

Call Carers UK Advice line on 0808 808 7777 to ask how you can get involved in Carers Rights Day.

Call the BLF Helpline 03000 030 555

for information about support for family, friends and carers.

[SecondLife]

I never considered myself a carer as I felt that title belonged to someone who did washing and dressing etc. but on reflection if I wasn't here who would order the medicines and ensure the right ones are taken, who would provide nutritional meals and who would do some research in case there is something new. The role of carer is an important role and too often people think you chose an easier life if, like me, you gave up a full time career. Good luck to all us carers out there and look forward to reading how other people cope, I know sometimes I have moments where I don't cope but then I bounce back.

[Hidden]

Thank you, SecondLife. Your comment will ring true with a lot of family members and friends who are supporting someone with a lung condition. Many do not see themselves as a 'carer'; they're just doing what any wife or husband, daughter or son, parent or neighbour would do because it is natural to look after our loved ones. It is only when you realise how much you do, as you have, that you realise you're a 'carer'. What's important is to know that acknowledging you are a carer does not mean you are no longer the wife, husband, daughter, son, parent or neighbour you've always been.

The BLF Helpline are there for family, friends and carers to help you bounce back. 03000 030 555

[sitstand]

Thank you Katie Peters there is a lot of very useful information it is true that a lot of care is taken for granted that it will happen but I know my life would be very different without the care that I have, which makes me appreciate the support that allows the life that is possible because of carers.

M

[katieoxo60]

Thanks for the info , carers day is on Thursday but I think the date is the 29th OOPs

[katieoxo60]

Thanks annamouse so the carers rights day is Friday which is the 30th.Didn't go to the link just noticed the day and date did not correspond with the calender

[Hidden]

Apologies for the confusion. Carers Rights Day is Friday 30th. Thank you Katieoxo60.