Individuals, irrespective of age, who provide or supervise a substantial amount of care on a regular basis of a child, relative, partner or neighbour who is unable to manage on their own due to illness, disability, frailty, mental distress or impairment is classed as a carer.
A carer can be a child looking after an older person or parent, or an older person looking after a disabled partner. The definition can be quite wide-ranging.
We are interested in identifying carers, especially those people who may be caring without help or support. We know that carers are often “hidden”, looking after a family member or helping a friend or neighbour with day-to-day tasks and may not see themselves as a carer.
Caring for someone is an important and valuable role in the community, which is often a 24-hour job that can be very demanding and isolating. Carers should receive appropriate support by way of access to accurate information on a range of topics such as entitlement to benefits and respite care, as well as a listening ear when things get too much.
As a carer, you are also entitled to have your needs assessed by Adult Care Services. A carer’s assessment is a chance to talk about your needs as a carer and the possible ways help could be given. It also looks at the needs of the person you care for. There is no charge for an assessment.
If you are a carer, please inform our reception team who will pass your details onto the GP, who will then contact you/ refer you as appropriate.
Please also see below links you may find useful if you are a carer:
(Please also see our webpage on older adults which you may find useful if caring for an older adult)
Carers Direct Helpline
03001231053
Carers Trust
02074207788
www.carers.org
Red Cross Home Care Services
03448711111
www.redcross.org.uk/What-we-do/Health-and-social-care/Independent-living/Support-at-home
Sheffield City Council Respite Care Home
https://www.sheffield.gov.uk/home/social-care/cost-of-care