A helping hand for carers

The role of a family carer is far from easy, and it can take an immense toll on your own health and strength.

We recently conducted a survey of 1,000 people who care for or have responsibility for someone over the age of 55.

The survey revealed that more than half of people (60 per cent) who care for a loved one feel ‘overwhelmed’ by their responsibilities, with more than a third of people (36 per cent) admitting that they neglect their own wellbeing due to time being taken up by caring duties.

In spite of this, more than half (57 per cent) still feel guilty that they are not dedicating enough time to caring for their loved one or relative.

Though they often feel overwhelmed, many people don’t think of themselves as carers, and don’t recognise that care takes a variety of forms: from helping someone to get well after an operation, to popping in to have a chat with someone each day – this all constitutes caring, and the responsibilities can mount up.

To offer support, we’ve pooled the expertise of our colleagues and fellow carers to produce A helping hand – a guide full of practical and emotional advice for those caring for a loved one or relative.

The guide has been designed to support you through every step of the journey, from recognising when might be the right time to consider residential care, what to consider when choosing a care home, and how to help their relative settle in.

Inside this guide

• Ways to make your caring role easier
• Why it’s important to take a break
• What to look for if you’re thinking about a care home
• How to tackle the topic of care with your loved one

DOWNLOAD GUIDE