Caring for carers

Top tips for carers of people with COPD

• Give up smoking yourself and provide support to help the person you're looking after quit smoking as well.
• Check the person takes their medicine every day. Make sure you know which is their maintenance therapy and which should be used as rescue therapy when needed.
• Cook nourishing meals. Maintaining a healthy weight makes an important contribution to the health of someone with COPD. Eating little and often can help someone whose breathing is interfering with their ability to enjoy a good meal.
• Get informed. You'll be a great help by becoming an expert in oxygen therapy or how to organise care at home from the community nurse or social worker.
• Watch out for low mood. If the person you are looking after is becoming depressed or suicidal, they may need urgent attention. Get them to see their GP as soon as you can.

Spotting the signs of depression

It's a common problem, perhaps not surprisingly. But depression in people with COPD is just as treatable as depression in the general population. If the person you are looking after is suffering from any of the following symptoms it's worth talking to the GP about therapy or medication.

1. Feeling of worthlessness or hopelessness
2. Irritability
3. Sleeping too much or too little
4. Sadness or anxiety
5. Thoughts about dying

Remember, you or the person you're caring for can always talk to someone 24 hours a day by calling Samaritans on 08457 909090. 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, and also see the charities and support groups listed in this website.

Help for carers

According to Carers UK, there are about six million people providing care around the UK at the moment. That equates to one in eight adults, many of whom are ordinary people like you. Some have no choice, as they can't afford to pay someone else to provide the care, while many others feel that it is important to look after their loved one or friend. 

If you are caring for someone, you will be glad to know that the Government has committed itself to providing support for people like you. Not only should you be able to get support from the NHS (depending on the condition of the person you are caring for), but you may also be able to claim a special carer's allowance.  It may not be much, but every little helps.

Financial support

If you spend 35 hours or more each week providing care to a seriously ill or disabled person, are over the age of 16 and not in full time education 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.

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.