Support for Carers

We know that supporting someone who is in hospital can be a difficult time. We want to make sure that you have all the advice and information that you need to prepare for when the person you care for comes home.

Anyone who provides support to a family member, relative, partner, friend, or neighbour, who is ill, frail, disabled, has mental ill-health or substance misuse problems is a Carer. They might be providing emotional support, medical care, personal care, physical care or doing jobs around the home.

You may have been doing this role(s) for some time, but before the person that you are supporting leaves hospital, it is important to understand how their needs have changed, so that you know what to expect and can plan for when they come home. If this sounds like you, please let staff know as soon as possible as we really value your knowledge and we want to make sure that you have all the information and advice available to keep you and the person you are supporting as well as possible.

If this is the first time you are supporting someone, remember, it’s okay to ask about what matters to you, not just the needs of the person that you are supporting. Please read this leaflet and talk to health and care professionals about whether you are willing and able to care. We understand that you want to do all you can to get your cared for home safely. But we want to make sure that you can balance your cared for’s needs with maintaining a life of your own and staying healthy and well.   

Caring or supporting another person is not an easy role and it is normal to feel a range of emotions, including relieved that your loved one is coming home to worried about how they will be and how you will manage. Some people will feel guilty for not feeling able to take on new caring responsibilities, and others may feel resentful because they have had to give up something else in their life to allow them to care. The one thing we don’t want you to feel is alone.

We hope the following questions help you to know what to expect and to start to prepare for your cared for’s discharge.

It’s okay to ask…

1. When do you think they can be discharged?
   1. What needs to happen before they can be discharged?
   2. What help will they need to get home?
       
2. What is their medical condition?
   1. How have things changed since they have been in hospital?
   2. What does this mean for the future?
   3. What do you expect their recovery to look like?
   4. What follow up will there be and who will this be with?
       
3. What professionals / teams are involved in their care?
   1. What ongoing medical support will they need? e.g. medications, treatments or changing dressings or surgical stockings?
      1. Who will do this and when?
          
4. How is their mood and wellbeing?
   1. What ongoing support will they need once at home?
       
5. What support will they need once they are back home?
   1. What support will they need with eating and drinking?
   2. What support will they need to collect / take medication, injections etc?
   3. What support will they need to wash / dress / go to the toilet?
   4. What support will they need to cook / clean / go shopping?
   5. What special equipment (like hand rails or a shower seat) will they need?
      1. How will the above be organised / arranged?
          
6. Has any other care been arranged?
   1. Who is providing this, when, and what are their details?
   2. How will their care be paid for?
   3. How long is this care available for?
       
7. Where can I go for more support and advice?
   1. Who can I talk to about what support I can have / may need as a carer
      1. Where can I access a Carer’s assessment?
          
8. Who can I contact at the hospital if I need more information about their condition?
   1. How do I contact them?
       

What matters to you?

Think about your commitments outside of your supporting or caring role. This might include your family, friends, career, and any hobbies. It is important that you maintain a life of your own and that you plan and consider the impact of any new responsibilities.

Think about whether you are able and willing to provide care for the person you are supporting when they are discharged from hospital, or what arrangements might need to be put in place to support you or the person you care for in the immediate and longer term. Make a note to remind you to discuss any worries or questions with healthcare staff.

Worcestershire Parent and Carers' Community

Worcestershire Parent and Carers’ Community was set up to provide support for families who have a child or young person with a disability and/or additional need.

We support the whole family, providing an opportunity to socialise with other families and simply enjoy a family day out.

One thing our families have in common is a wish to provide opportunities for ALL our children to reach their potential and to make ALL of their lives better.

Membership is free and open to anyone living, working or accessing services in Worcestershire, who has a child or young person with a disability and/or additional need.

Office Telephone: 01905 748278
Sue Evans at wpccsue@gmail.com
07955 760488

Activity Days, Workshops & Youth Group Enquiries
Audrey de Garis at wpccaud@gmail.com
07955 688031

Kinship Carers

Kinship care is when a child lives full-time or most of the time with a relative or friend who isn’t their parent, usually because their parents aren’t able to care for them.  That relative or friend is called a ‘kinship carer’, and it’s estimated that around half of kinship carers are grandparents, but many other relatives including older siblings, aunts, uncles, as well as family friends and neighbours can also be kinship carers.

www.grandparentsplus.org.uk

Groups meet locally in Kidderminster, Bromsgrove, Redditch, Worcester and Malvern

Contact Ezna on 07714 531802
KinshipCarers@mail.com

Jigsaw – Worcestershire Mental Health Relative & Carers Support Group

This group is for relatives, friends, carers and/or neighbours of people who suffer from mental health issues.  They offer someone to talk to, practical advice, useful information, interesting speakers, occasional social activities and other much needed support

www.jigsaw.org.uk
07503 601737
jigsaw.worcs@gmail

If a family member, friend or someone your care for is told they have a life limiting illness we recognise that this can impact on you as well as the person who has the diagnosis. The grief process can start before the actual death of a person.

Very often people feel they can only access support after the person has died and this is not true. Support is available to you straight away, it’s important for you to know that you are not alone.

We hope that the following information will help you to know what support you can access both before and after death, locally and nationally.

Local services:

Within the county of Worcestershire we have three hospices all of which provide support to families and carers. If your family member or friend is based outside of Worcestershire, you can still access this support as long as you have a Worcestershire GP.

St Richards Hospice, Worcester

Is available if you are located in the South of the County, Droitwich, Malvern, Worcester City, Pershore, Evesham, Tenbury and Upton

Support services for families and carers - St Richard's Hospice (strichards.org.uk)

Primrose Hospice

Is available if you are in the North East of the county Redditch, Bromsgrove and Wythall

Adult Family Support - Primrose Hospice | Family Support Service

Kemp Hospice

Is available if you’re in the North West of the county Kidderminster, Stourport and Bewdley

KEMP Hospice: The Wyre Forest Hospice

You do not need a professional referral to access these services, the webpages all tell you how you can access their services.

Your GP is also there to support you and it’s important if you are struggling to contact them and see what support they can offer you, looking after your own physical and mental health during this time is important for both you and your relative or the person you provide care to.

National Services:

There are number of national charities that may also be able to help you, some you may have heard of, and others may be new to you. We have listed some below with links to their webpages.

You may also want to look for specific disease website as they also have lots of information and many offer advice on support.

Sue Ryder online bereavement support

The Good Grief Trust bereavement advice website

Jigsaw4u is a website

Cruse bereavement support

Marie Cure support website

Child Bereavement UK