Where to start
Caring can be hard work – physically and emotionally.
It’s important to find out about the different ways
you can get help and support with caring.
One way to get help and support
is through an assessment by the
local authority social services
department. Both you and the
person you care for can get an
assessment. This may result in help
and support being provided to you
as a carer and/or to the person
you are looking after. For further
information see pages 13-14.
You could decide to buy in
additional help and support for
the person you are looking after.
You could decide to employ an
individual or use a care provider
such as a care agency.
If you are looking for care providers
you could:
• ask the local authority if they
have a list of approved care
providers
• search on the Care Quality
Commission website:
www.cqc.org.uk
• search on the Which? Elderly
Care directory:
www.which.co.uk/elderly-care/
care-services-directory
Looking after someone
You can also find out about
equipment and technology that
could help make your home
safer, your life easier and provide
independence for the person you
are looking after – see page 18.
Caring inevitably means adapting
to changing circumstances, so it’s
important to think about the future.
You may need to look into different
ways of managing someone’s
affairs, either now or for the future
– see page 15.
You could find out if you have a
local carers organisation, and if so
what support they offer to carers in
the area. To find your local carers
organisation visit
carersuk.org/localsupport
carersuk.org
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