Understanding the challenges carers face
Carers – both paid and unpaid – provide essential support to people who need it, enabling them to remain living at home. While a caring role can be incredibly rewarding and fulfilling, it can also put a strain on a carer’s physical and emotional wellbeing if they don’t take regular breaks. Family and unpaid carers may find it challenging to step away regularly because they have an obligation to the loved one they’re caring for, but it’s just as important for unpaid carers to have some downtime as it is for professional carers, as it may be harder for them to maintain a work/life balance.
Helping Hands supports thousands of people across England and Wales to live as independently as possible in the homes they love, which also indirectly helps their loved ones to manage. Our visiting and live-in care is all fully regulated by the Care Quality Commission and Care Inspectorate Wales so you know you’ll be in the very best hands.
Support that you can provide
Whether you are regularly caring for a loved one or you live many miles away, you’ll still want to know that they’re well looked after when you can’t be there. Perhaps someone else cares for them but you’re wondering how you can offer further support? Some suggestions include:
Offering a Listening Ear
Sometimes, all it takes to support someone who has caring responsibilities is to give them an opportunity to offload any stresses they may have. Listening to them as they explain how they feel and offering practical support may be all it takes to let them know someone understands.
Acknowledging Their Efforts
We all appreciate being appreciated. Having someone tell us we’re doing a good job and making a difference can really boost morale. Therefore, simply ensuring the person knows how much their hard work is valued can make all the difference in their life.
Checking In Regularly
Caring for someone else can be a lonely job. NICE tells us that “Compared with the general population, carers are seven times more likely to report being often or always lonely.” Reaching out regularly, even if only a quick text or call, can make a carer feel less isolated.
Helping with Errands or Tasks
Offering to do housework for someone who is struggling with the volume of practical tasks may be significantly appreciated. Equally, offering to run errands for them may also reduce pressure on their time and help them to balance everything.
Providing Respite or Breaks
Offering to sit with the person needing care while the carer runs errands may give them a short respite. Alternatively, giving them an opportunity to let off steam, such as visiting the library, going shopping, or going to the gym, may boost their physical and emotional wellbeing.
Assisting with Appointments
Accompanying the person to appointments may significantly reduce the workload on their carer, especially if they have to go regularly. Most people appreciate company when attending medical appointments and offering transport can reduce pressure on their carer.
Helping Hands have enabled Mum to slowly adjust to being home after 3 months in hospital/rehabilitation. The change in her mental health is clear to hear and see. As we live a long way from Mum it gives my sister and I peace of mind that Mum is in good hands.
Lyn, Customer
Practical ways to support carers
According to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), “many carers are not well prepared for their caring role.” Evidence suggests that “carers can neglect their own health” possibly “because of their caring role, or because they are unable to leave the person they care for in order to attend appointments.” Therefore, offering additional support to family members or friends who care for their loved ones, even if it’s only so they can leave the house for an hour or two, will no doubt make a big difference.
Sometimes, all it takes is a listening ear or a friendly word to let the person know that they’re not alone in their responsibilities. Finding local carers’ groups or activities that support both the person being cared for and their carer is also a good way to let them know you understand. Whether that’s swimming, chair yoga, or singing for the brain sessions.
The home care services we offer
We offer both visiting care and live-in care services to suit your needs
Visiting care
Live-in care
Professional carers you can trust
The person providing care may not realise that there are professional home care companies, like Helping Hands, that can provide support at home, allowing them to take a break. It’s also a good idea to ensure they are claiming all financial support to which they or the person they care for is entitled, as this can be used to pay professional carers to provide respite support. Contact your local authority in the first instance and ask for a financial assessment or means test, which the NHS says “works out if the council will pay towards your care.”
Helping Hands’ knowledgeable customer care advisors can help you make sense of your funding and explain how we can support you and your loved ones. We can advise you on how any social care funding you’ve been awarded can be used to keep you living safely in the home you love. Our carers are knowledgeable and professional, and quickly become trusted friends who help you and your loved ones to live a balanced and supported life.
