Sefton Carers Centre _Carer Awareness Understanding the Caring Role 2019
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<strong>Understanding</strong> The <strong>Caring</strong><br />
<strong>Role</strong><br />
Supporting frontline <strong><strong>Carer</strong>s</strong><br />
Who are<br />
<strong><strong>Carer</strong>s</strong><br />
Supporting<br />
<strong><strong>Carer</strong>s</strong><br />
Young<br />
<strong><strong>Carer</strong>s</strong>
Who are carers<br />
This training presentation will help you in your work when you may come<br />
across or need to support people who are looking after a loved one. You<br />
may be a social worker, a hospital or community nurse, an occupational<br />
<strong>the</strong>rapist, a GP, a domiciliary or residential care worker or a community<br />
volunteer.<br />
Whatever your role, if you are working with people who are living with <strong>the</strong><br />
challenges of caring, unpaid, for a family member or friend who is ill, frail,<br />
disabled or has mental health or addiction problems.<br />
They can need your help too, and this training presentation will help you<br />
understand what <strong>the</strong>y need and how you and <strong>Sefton</strong> <strong><strong>Carer</strong>s</strong> <strong>Centre</strong> can<br />
support <strong>the</strong>m more effectively.
Learning Goals<br />
• Identify <strong><strong>Carer</strong>s</strong><br />
• Define what it is to be a carer<br />
• Describe some facts about carers
Who is a carer<br />
Consider <strong>the</strong> people you encounter in your daily<br />
life? Are any of <strong>the</strong>m carers? Do <strong>the</strong>y provide<br />
unpaid care to a friend, neighbour, or family<br />
member who couldn’t manage alone?<br />
Is this person in need of help due to frailty, age,<br />
physical illness, mental health condition, or<br />
addiction?<br />
If you encounter anyone who answers yes to<br />
ei<strong>the</strong>r, or both, of <strong>the</strong> questions above, it is<br />
extremely likely that <strong>the</strong>y will be classed as a<br />
carer.<br />
While being a carer doesn’t define you, it may<br />
mean that <strong>the</strong>y have important legal rights<br />
including <strong>the</strong> right to certain types of financial<br />
support, practical help, assistance technology and<br />
rights in <strong>the</strong> workplace.<br />
In this exercise type a list of people you know<br />
who you think should be identified as carers.
Who Do<br />
<strong><strong>Carer</strong>s</strong> Care<br />
For?<br />
5%<br />
Young Adult<br />
40%<br />
Parents<br />
26%<br />
Spouse/Partner<br />
4%<br />
Grandparents<br />
7%<br />
O<strong>the</strong>r Relative<br />
9%<br />
Friend or<br />
Neighbour<br />
8%<br />
Disabled Child
What do<br />
carers do<br />
Emotional Support<br />
Seeing someone for a meal or<br />
a chat<br />
Practical Support<br />
Help with household<br />
chores like cleaning,<br />
shopping, gardening<br />
Financial Support<br />
Help with banking<br />
& payments<br />
Personal or<br />
Medical<br />
Help with moving<br />
around e.g.<br />
getting in and out<br />
of bed<br />
Telephoning to find out how<br />
someone is<br />
Arranging & coordinating<br />
care and<br />
support<br />
Help with applying<br />
for benefits<br />
Help with<br />
washing &<br />
dressing<br />
The table to <strong>the</strong> right contains<br />
four lists of typical carer<br />
activities. The titles from <strong>the</strong><br />
bottom of <strong>the</strong> screen will fit<br />
into <strong>the</strong> table to identify<br />
which categories of support<br />
each listings belong too.<br />
Finding befriending services<br />
Keeping in touch remotely, for<br />
e.g. Skype<br />
Supporting leisure<br />
activities<br />
Going to doctors or<br />
hospital appointments<br />
Sorting out<br />
payment for care<br />
Finding out about<br />
or applying for<br />
power of attorney<br />
Administering or<br />
checking that<br />
someone has<br />
taken <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
medication<br />
Providing<br />
specialist care e.g.<br />
peg feeding or<br />
ca<strong>the</strong>ter changing<br />
Emotional Support Practical Support Financial Support Personal or Medical Support
How does <strong>Caring</strong> Affect Someone's Life<br />
People want to support <strong>the</strong>ir loved ones and caring can<br />
be a great source of satisfaction. It can streng<strong>the</strong>n<br />
relationships and help people develop new skills and<br />
manage challenging situations. But evidence shows that<br />
when caring is full on and without support carers can<br />
struggle to get a good nights sleep, to stay healthy, to<br />
maintain relationships with friends and family, to hold<br />
down a job and have a life outside of <strong>the</strong> caring role
What issues do we<br />
have to consider that<br />
Make a Difference in<br />
<strong>the</strong> <strong>Caring</strong> <strong>Role</strong><br />
You might need to find out about someone's<br />
situation to identify <strong>the</strong>ir needs for support.<br />
Here are some examples of factors that can<br />
make a difference and some questions you<br />
maybe could ask.<br />
The relationship to <strong>the</strong> person cared for: this<br />
will have an emotional and practical impact<br />
on <strong>the</strong> carer<br />
• Who is <strong>the</strong> carer looking after?<br />
• A parent?<br />
• A disabled child?<br />
• A spouse or partner?<br />
• An in- law?
What issues do we have to<br />
consider that Make a<br />
Difference in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Caring</strong> <strong>Role</strong><br />
The nature of <strong>the</strong> condition , disability or illness;<br />
<strong>the</strong>re is a world of difference between caring for<br />
someone with dementia and someone with a spinal<br />
injury; or someone who has had a stroke and<br />
someone with schizophrenia<br />
• What Is <strong>the</strong> illness or condition of <strong>the</strong> cared for?<br />
• Is it long term and/or degenerative?<br />
• Is it short term and/or acute?<br />
• Is it a mental health problem?<br />
• Does it involve physical care?
What issues do we have to<br />
consider that Make a<br />
Difference in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Caring</strong> <strong>Role</strong><br />
Whe<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong> carer is alone or sharing<br />
care; this can determine <strong>the</strong> level of care<br />
provided or how able <strong>the</strong> carer is to cope.<br />
Is <strong>the</strong>re only one person providing care?<br />
Are <strong>the</strong>y sharing <strong>the</strong> care with o<strong>the</strong>r<br />
family members, friends or neighbours?<br />
Does <strong>the</strong> carer have additional help from<br />
care and support services?
What issues do we have to consider that Make a Difference<br />
in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Caring</strong> <strong>Role</strong><br />
What else is going on in <strong>the</strong> carers family life: one in six middle<br />
aged carers is also juggling o<strong>the</strong>r family responsibilities or<br />
caring for more than one person, often called “sandwich<br />
caring”<br />
Is <strong>the</strong> carer single or married?<br />
Do <strong>the</strong>y have o<strong>the</strong>r children or grandchildren?<br />
Are <strong>the</strong>y caring for more than one person?
What issues do we have to consider that Make a Difference in <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>Caring</strong> <strong>Role</strong><br />
What else is going on in a <strong><strong>Carer</strong>s</strong> working life; over three million<br />
people in England & Wales work and care, and may need<br />
support from <strong>the</strong>ir employers or from external agencies to<br />
manage both.<br />
Does <strong>the</strong> carer work full time?<br />
Is <strong>the</strong>ir employer supportive<br />
Have <strong>the</strong>y had to change <strong>the</strong>ir job or working hours<br />
Are <strong>the</strong>y self- employed<br />
Do <strong>the</strong>y need flexible care and support services
What issues do we have to consider that Make a Difference in <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>Caring</strong> <strong>Role</strong><br />
Someone's character, finding a way through <strong>the</strong> maze of health<br />
and care support services can be daunting, and many carers<br />
end up having to fight for support <strong>the</strong>y need both for <strong>the</strong><br />
person <strong>the</strong>y care for and <strong>the</strong>mselves.<br />
Is <strong>the</strong> carer confident and assured?<br />
Are <strong>the</strong>y shy not so good at speaking up for <strong>the</strong>mselves or<br />
confident in asking for help?<br />
Are <strong>the</strong>y intimidated by professionals?<br />
Are <strong>the</strong>y comfortable asking questions?
What issues do we have to consider that Make a Difference in <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>Caring</strong> <strong>Role</strong><br />
Where <strong>the</strong> carer is from; cultural or social background can have<br />
an effect on what is expected of someone.<br />
Does <strong>the</strong> carer have family around <strong>the</strong>m?<br />
Does <strong>the</strong> rest of <strong>the</strong> family expect <strong>the</strong>m to care?<br />
Will <strong>the</strong>re be disapproval from o<strong>the</strong>r families or <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
community if <strong>the</strong>y do not take on <strong>the</strong> caring role?<br />
Will <strong>the</strong>y be expected to give up work to continue in <strong>the</strong> caring<br />
role?
What issues do we have to consider that Make a Difference in <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>Caring</strong> <strong>Role</strong><br />
Where <strong>the</strong> carer lives; support services differ around <strong>the</strong><br />
country, and caring at <strong>the</strong> end of <strong>the</strong> motorway bring its own<br />
challenges.<br />
Does <strong>the</strong> carer live with <strong>the</strong> person <strong>the</strong>y care for?<br />
If not, how far away does <strong>the</strong> carer-for live?<br />
Are <strong>the</strong>y in <strong>the</strong> same town or do <strong>the</strong>y live in ano<strong>the</strong>r part of <strong>the</strong><br />
country?<br />
Are <strong>the</strong>re any o<strong>the</strong>r family members who live closer who could<br />
help out?
Facts About<br />
<strong><strong>Carer</strong>s</strong><br />
How many carers are <strong>the</strong>re in <strong>the</strong><br />
UK<br />
6,826,752
<strong>Sefton</strong> Young <strong><strong>Carer</strong>s</strong><br />
What are young carers?<br />
There are about 700,000 young carers in <strong>the</strong> UK. Being a young carer<br />
often means looking after a family member who is ill or helping <strong>the</strong>m<br />
by looking after <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r members of <strong>the</strong> family while <strong>the</strong>y can’t.<br />
Young carers often do more chores than o<strong>the</strong>r children would. On top<br />
of providing emotional support to <strong>the</strong> person <strong>the</strong>y are caring for <strong>the</strong>y<br />
may also have to learn how to nurse <strong>the</strong>m or look after <strong>the</strong>ir personal<br />
needs like bathing and dressing.<br />
It can be hard work being a young carer. Sometimes o<strong>the</strong>r children<br />
don’t understand your responsibilities and you have less free time than<br />
o<strong>the</strong>rs.<br />
Many young cope well with caring, especially if you have support from<br />
o<strong>the</strong>r family members and it’s important to look after yourself. You<br />
have <strong>the</strong> right to be looked after too and <strong>the</strong>re are lots of places and<br />
people you can go to get help.
<strong>Sefton</strong> Young <strong><strong>Carer</strong>s</strong> Team<br />
Ruth, Eve & Scott <strong>Sefton</strong> Young <strong><strong>Carer</strong>s</strong> Team
What if You<br />
Are you a<br />
Young <strong>Carer</strong><br />
If you are aged between 5 and 17 years<br />
of age and looking after someone in your<br />
family who couldn’t manage without<br />
you, <strong>the</strong>n you are one of <strong>the</strong> 4,000 or<br />
more young carers that we estimate live<br />
in <strong>Sefton</strong>.<br />
Help is available<br />
If you would like to talk to someone you<br />
can contact a member of <strong>Sefton</strong> Young<br />
<strong><strong>Carer</strong>s</strong> team on 0151 288 6060
Supporting <strong><strong>Carer</strong>s</strong><br />
<strong>Sefton</strong> <strong><strong>Carer</strong>s</strong> <strong>Centre</strong> provides free advice and guidance, emotional and practical<br />
support, training and a range of holistic <strong>the</strong>rapies for unpaid carers living in<br />
<strong>Sefton</strong>.<br />
In order to access all of our services for free you will need to register with us. By<br />
providing us with your details you will receive information and support which is<br />
tailored to your individual needs.<br />
ANYONE could be a carer, a 15-year-old girl looking after a parent with a long<br />
term health condition, a 40-year-old man caring for his partner who has terminal<br />
cancer or an 80-year-old woman looking after her husband who has Alzheimer's<br />
disease.<br />
We link into a variety of services, both statutory and voluntary. With our network<br />
partners we aim to ensure that <strong>the</strong> information and advice we provide is current<br />
and purposeful, to help keep carers caring in <strong>Sefton</strong>.<br />
As part of our <strong>Carer</strong> Support Team we have a dedicated <strong>Carer</strong> Support Officer<br />
who can provide advice to carers by telephone - 0151 288 6060 or at <strong>the</strong> centre,<br />
27-37 South Road, Waterloo, L22 5PE.
Supporting <strong><strong>Carer</strong>s</strong>-<strong><strong>Carer</strong>s</strong> Needs Assessment<br />
<strong>Carer</strong>’s Assessment looks at <strong>the</strong> different ways that your caring<br />
role affects your life. We look at how you can carry on doing<br />
<strong>the</strong> things that are important to you and enable you to feel that<br />
you still have quality of life.<br />
The assessment covers <strong>the</strong> impact of your caring role, how you<br />
feeling about caring, your physical, mental and emotional<br />
health and how caring may affect your ability to access, work,<br />
leisure, education, wider family and relationships. As a carer<br />
your physical, mental and emotional wellbeing is at <strong>the</strong> heart<br />
of this assessment, demonstrating <strong>the</strong> impact & need for<br />
services.<br />
If you decline an assessment we will still be able to access<br />
information and advice, including what in-house services we<br />
can offer as well as any o<strong>the</strong>r support and help from local<br />
organisations that may benefit you in your caring role.
<strong>Sefton</strong> <strong><strong>Carer</strong>s</strong> <strong>Centre</strong> realise that carers and those who <strong>the</strong>y<br />
care for are often at a disadvantage financially.<br />
Welfare<br />
Benefits<br />
Advice<br />
<strong><strong>Carer</strong>s</strong> may have to reduce or give up work to fulfil <strong>the</strong> caring<br />
role and those who are cared for also may have had to give up<br />
work, or be reliant on benefits, and may well have additional<br />
household expenses as a result of <strong>the</strong>ir disabilities.<br />
We provide information and help to understand benefit<br />
rules/law and identify possible entitlement, as well as help with<br />
applications for relevant benefits and support with appeals<br />
against unsatisfactory decisions.<br />
To access this service for free we require you to register with<br />
<strong>the</strong> organisation and an appointment can <strong>the</strong>n be arranged via<br />
reception on 0151 288 6060
At <strong>Sefton</strong> <strong><strong>Carer</strong>s</strong> <strong>Centre</strong> we recognise that <strong>the</strong> impact of<br />
your caring role may affect your mental and physical wellbeing.<br />
Holistic<br />
Therapies<br />
We offer a number of free services to help promote rest<br />
and relaxation - including Hand and Arm Massage,<br />
Reflexology, Reiki, Guided Meditation and Facial.<br />
All of our <strong>the</strong>rapists are fully qualified and maintain a high<br />
professional standard of care. In order to access all of our<br />
services for free you will need to register with us. By<br />
providing us with your details you will receive information<br />
and support which is tailored to your individual needs.
Our Listening Ear project is run by trained volunteers many of whom have<br />
been carers <strong>the</strong>mselves.<br />
Listening Ear<br />
The project provides informal and confidential support to unpaid carers<br />
who are suffering bereavement, loss, anxiety, depression and isolation or<br />
just need someone to offload and talk too.<br />
At <strong>Sefton</strong> <strong><strong>Carer</strong>s</strong> <strong>Centre</strong> we offer a free and confidential service to help you<br />
deal with <strong>the</strong> day to day stresses of your caring role.<br />
In order to access all of our services for free you will need to register with<br />
us. By providing us with your details you will receive information and<br />
support which is tailored to your individual needs. We will make<br />
appointments to call you so that you don’t have to worry about phone bills
<strong><strong>Carer</strong>s</strong><br />
Emergency<br />
Card<br />
The free <strong><strong>Carer</strong>s</strong> Emergency Card gives peace of mind by<br />
providing access to emergency assistance 24 hours a day.<br />
The <strong><strong>Carer</strong>s</strong> Emergency Card is a pocket sized card that can be<br />
carried as a source of identification in <strong>the</strong> event of an accident<br />
or illness. The registration and telephone numbers on <strong>the</strong> card<br />
are linked to a database held by <strong>Sefton</strong> Careline at <strong>Sefton</strong> Arc<br />
(<strong>Sefton</strong> Metropolitan Borough Council’s Control <strong>Centre</strong>) where<br />
help can be co-ordinated to assist <strong>the</strong> cared for person while<br />
<strong>the</strong> carer is receiving attention.<br />
To be eligible for a free emergency card <strong>the</strong> carer or <strong>the</strong> person<br />
who is being cared for must reside in <strong>Sefton</strong> and be registered<br />
with <strong>Sefton</strong> <strong><strong>Carer</strong>s</strong> <strong>Centre</strong> - call 0151 288 6060 to register.
Counselling<br />
<strong>Sefton</strong> <strong><strong>Carer</strong>s</strong> <strong>Centre</strong> provides a free<br />
Person- centred Counselling service to<br />
unpaid <strong><strong>Carer</strong>s</strong>, delivered by qualified or<br />
partially qualified volunteers.<br />
If <strong>the</strong>re are any issues that you feel you<br />
need to discuss <strong>the</strong>n talking to a counsellor<br />
might be a positive way to enhance your<br />
emotional wellbeing.<br />
Person <strong>Centre</strong>d Counsellors work to help<br />
clients lead full lives of self-understanding<br />
and reduce defensiveness, guilt, and<br />
insecurity.<br />
As well as helping to have more positive<br />
and comfortable relationships with o<strong>the</strong>rs,<br />
and an increased capacity to experience<br />
and express <strong>the</strong>ir feelings.
If you care for a child or young person<br />
who is under 18 and has a physical<br />
disability, learning disability or<br />
emotional/behavioral condition, ei<strong>the</strong>r<br />
diagnosed or undiagnosed, <strong>the</strong>n <strong>Sefton</strong><br />
<strong><strong>Carer</strong>s</strong> <strong>Centre</strong> can provide free support.<br />
We currently offer <strong>the</strong> following services<br />
to all parent carers living in <strong>Sefton</strong>:<br />
The <strong><strong>Carer</strong>s</strong> Support Team currently<br />
facilitates groups for parent carers at<br />
Ne<strong>the</strong>rton Family Wellbeing <strong>Centre</strong><br />
(Thursdays) and at The Life Rooms<br />
(Wednesdays) in Southport (term time<br />
only).<br />
These groups are a great way to get<br />
support, information, and hear about<br />
o<strong>the</strong>r people's experiences - guidance<br />
can be given around assessment<br />
pathways and access to services through<br />
comprehensive signposting.<br />
Parent <strong>Carer</strong> Support<br />
The purpose of <strong>the</strong>se support groups is to<br />
improve <strong>the</strong> health and wellbeing of<br />
parent carers as well as provide<br />
information and advice from o<strong>the</strong>r<br />
organisations that work with parent<br />
carers and <strong>the</strong>ir children in <strong>Sefton</strong>.