What do you feel are the basic needs of car... - Care Community

Care Community

5,939 members2,365 posts

What do you feel are the basic needs of carers?

34 Voters
27
Social support
26
Respite access
26
In home assistance
24
Financial support
23
Medical and nursing care
20
Equipment access
14
Education
0
Other (please leave a comment below)
17 Replies
calista profile image
calista

Doctor visits to the home

in reply tocalista

I think that's a vital thing calista. I watch my sister really struggle when she needs to get her husband to the GP surgery. And she's old school so really can't deal with all that goes with telephone and video appointments. On one occasion when she'd had a really bad fall and cracked her ribs, the paramedics turned up, didn't assess the situation properly and just left her floundering with her husband with severe dementia.

calista profile image
calista in reply to

I live in Ireland. Gps not so good at house visits .here .

in reply tocalista

Nor here any more calista. In fact visits to the surgery are a bit of a luxury!

sassy59 profile image
sassy59

GP doing home visits and continued general support from the medical profession as needed.

in reply tosassy59

Absolutely agreed sassy59, especially for long term carers and their cared for.

glo42 profile image
glo42

More practical and emotional support from Community Nurses and GP.

in reply toglo42

Absolutely glo42!

nightingale-56 profile image
nightingale-56

Information leaflets/booklets on where to get what help there is already available.

in reply tonightingale-56

Yes that would be so helpful, especially if it could be given to new carers, maybe by GPs or social services.

Thepainterswife profile image
Thepainterswife

More support from Gp’s , more interaction between Gp’s and respiratory teams and ideally one support person to liaise with as I never know who to speak to , who has said what and often get conflicting messages from Gp and respiratory team

in reply toThepainterswife

It really is vital to have proper liaison. I think the current situation for everyone in getting GP help is lamentable at present and it's extra vital for carers and the cared-for. Too many things are slipping through cracks. It wouldn't be quite so bad if there was better and faster access by phone to a GP, and more empathy from reception staff in surgeries. I've had to actually try to teach my sister how to be more assertive as she was often in tears after being fobbed off by staff who really didn't 'get' that she needed priority. It's frustrating and causes a great deal of stress.

Thepainterswife profile image
Thepainterswife in reply to

Exactly, I can be assertive if necessary but it is so stressful Just to give one example If hubby doesn’t get enough antibiotics I ask to speak to doctor, doctor says he was only prescribed a certain med for one week , I say no mr Raza ( consultant) said one week is not enough for my husband Dr says but then Mr ….. ( different consultant ) prescribed one week in 2018 Next conversation re same problem ,is with a different Gp looking back to different letters sent at different times from different consultants . after 5 years dealing with different consultants, different Gps I’m just totally baffled One person with access to all my husbands copd history all in one place would be a godsend ! As for actually seeing a Gp we don’t even expect to any more , a couple of weeks ago I rang the surgery to report hubby was unwell and his legs and feet were badly swollen and breaking down at one point , they’ve been swollen before but never this bad and in the past have gone down after a few days . A friend , a retired nurse told me to get the doctor ASAP as it could be an indication of something very serious , she was very concerned The receptionist told me to send in a photo of his legs 🤦🏻‍♀️He was then sent , without any examination of legs , checking of heart rate or questioning re his kidney function a course of water tablets ( which have made very little difference) When are Gps going to do what they are well paid to do - actually come out and examine very sick people ??

insanetigger68 profile image
insanetigger68

To listen and help support and form social inter action. For. The carie . To help personal care

in reply toinsanetigger68

Great points insanetigger68! 👍

MylovedhasPd profile image
MylovedhasPd

Time. I found social services so helpful and understanding when they provided time for me to attend my peer professional support group by giving a five hour slot. Other shorter times felt okay as I felt my needs were being met.

in reply toMylovedhasPd

That's so good to hear in this hurried world with all its current problems. Time is indeed one of our greatest helps in so many ways, whether you are the carer or the cared for. Thanks so much for reminding us and for your contribution to our poll!

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.