Caring for carers

Financial support

If you spend 35 hours or more each week providing care to a seriously ill or disabled person and are not earning more than £100 a week (2010 - 2011 rate), then you may be able to claim Carer's Allowance (CA), a special social security benefit for full-time carers. In order to claim you must be over the age of 16 and not in full time education.

To find out if you qualify, contact the CA Unit on 0845 608 4321 between 8.30am and 5pm Monday to Thursday and between 8.30am and 4.30pm on Fridays. If your first language is not English, ask for information about the interpreter service. Alternatively, email cau.customer-services@dwp.gsi.gov.uk or apply online via the website at Caring for someone.

Coping with difficulties

Caring for someone with a chronic health condition is never easy and there may be times when it's especially tough. Here's some advice which may help:

• If you are feeling stressed, weepy or exhausted, it's a good idea to take a break to recharge your batteries. If the person you are caring for is seriously ill and needs ongoing care - and there's no one else who can take over your responsibilities for a few hours or few days - your local Social Services may be able to help. If you are depressed or suffering from insomnia, it is worth contacting your doctor.
• If you're chatting to someone don't feel guilty if you find yourself moaning about your situation. It's really important to express your feelings and not bottle them up. Sharing your frustrations with someone may make you feel better. You may find it helpful to become a member of a charity or patient organisation that specialises in the condition your loved one or friend has been diagnosed with.
• If there's a time of day you know you feel low, try to give yourself a treat. Making a special time to sit down to watch your favourite soap with a cup of tea or doing something else just for you, can make a surprising difference.
• If you have a medical emergency, it is good to have any relevant information and paperwork somewhere you can access easily in a rush. It's also a good idea to keep a list of emergency numbers next to your 'phone, just in case.
• If the person you're caring for becomes depressed, emotionally distressed or suicidal, they may need urgent attention. Get them to see their GP as soon as you can. And remember, you or the person you're caring for can always talk to someone 24 hours a day by calling Samaritans on 08457 909 090. Alternatively, there are charities and organisations that enable people with specific conditions to get together and support each other. Ask at your GP surgery for details of these.
• If you become ill and are unable to provide essential care, then your local Social Services should be able to provide a number of helpful services, such as day centres, respite care, home help and meals-on-wheels. These may only be available to people who are seriously ill and cannot care for themselves.
• See support groups and charities for details of the British Heart Foundation.
• See Carers UK - the organisation led by carers for carers - for more information www.carersuk.org

Practical ideas to encourage eating

• In the early stage of Alzheimer’s, clearly writing down what to do to prepare and eat meals may be beneficial in helping a person maintain independent living and eating.
• If a person is struggling to use their knives and forks or they are continually getting up from the table and seem unable to sit for any length of time, try offering finger foods.
• Try to avoid constipation by encouraging foods high in fibre. Good sources of fibre are fruits, vegetables, wholegrains.
• Encourage 6- 8 glasses of water or other fluids a day (unless they are fluid restricted) to keep their bowels working properly and keep them hydrated.
• If appropriate, encourage a little activity during the day which will help to stimulate their appetite and help to keep their digestive system healthy.
• Encourage variety - make lots of different food suggestions to help ensure that they are getting all the nutrients they need to stay healthy.
• Check before introducing new foods to the diet, that they don’t interfere with any medicines that they are taking.
• Use visual (picture card) menus or simply showing the food choices available rather than walking them through small typed menus.
• Encourage gently physical prompts to encourage self feeding such as putting the cup/utensil in the person’s hand and guiding it to their mouth.

Snack Ideas

• If a person is overeating with high fat, high sugar snack foods, try not to buy them in, or hide them away and encourage healthier alternatives, such as pieces of fresh or dried fruit, vegetable sticks and low fat dips, low fat yogurts, plain or fruit scone with a little jam.
• Offer regular drinks of water, juice, and other fluids to avoid dehydration. Seek help from their GP or State Registered Dietitian for more practical ideas to combat a ‘dry mouth’, including the use of artificial salvia.

Meal Ideas

• If a person is struggling to eat three big main meals, encourage smaller, more frequent meals during the day.
• Creating a calm dining environment with minimal distractions to encourage concentration on eating. If they see other people eating (so called visual cue) they may be more willing to do so themselves.
• Allowing sufficient time for their eating – each small spoonful may take a while, and try and ensure that each mouthful is swallowed before the next one is taken.
• Cut their food up into smaller, more bite sized pieces.
• Make sure that they are sitting upright and are comfortable to encourage ease of eating and digestion.