Why should I let my surgery know I am a carer?
We are here to help.When you are a carer it is often difficult to have a real break or time off for yourself. You can get tired and run down, and your own health may suffer. Tell your GP that you are a carer and ask to be put on the carers register. In most cases the surgery can then:
- Let you know about other organisations that can help.
- Offer you a carer health check with your named GP.
- Give you a free flu vaccination.
- Share information with you about the person you care for to help you in your caring role (with their permission).
You may be a carer
A carer is someone who provides support to family or friends who could not manage without this help. This could be caring for a relative, partner or friend who is ill, frail, disabled or is affected by mental health or substance misuse. It includes young people under 18 who may be caring at home.
Launch of Draft Hampshire Joint Carers Strategy
Hampshire County Council is asking for the views of carers, voluntary organisations and any other interested individuals and organisations.
The draft Hampshire Joint Carers Strategy 2018 to 2023 sets out a new vision for supporting carers in Hampshire.
After a consultation event with carers in July 2016, the draft strategy was written by:
• Carers
• Staff from the voluntary sector
• Health and social care professionals
The draft strategy sets out practical steps that health and social care organisations, with carers, will take over the next five years. The aim is to ensure that carers have good levels of health and wellbeing and are supported to maintain their caring relationships.
The document can be viewed online by visiting:
http://documents.hants.gov.uk/…/draft-carers-joint-strategy…
You can give your feedback via the online questionnaire. We will be sending the strategy out to groups on our stakeholder distribution list. Please do also circulate more widely to carers and groups that may be interested in giving feedback. You may also wish to add your website/Twitter/Facebook etc :
https://healthhampshirecc.researchfeedback.net/s.asp…
There is also a carers email account set up for queries on the strategy: carers@hants.gov.uk
The consultation is open until Wednesday 28th February 2018.
All feedback will be considered and used to inform the final strategy which will be published Spring/Summer 2018.
An online resource for adults with care and support needs.
Community Cafe
Our dementia friendly café is held in The New Milton Health Centre on the 2nd Wednesday of each month from 10am until midday. Join us for some coffee/tea, cake and company. Please feel free to join us during 2017 on:
Oct 11th, Nov 8th, Dec 13th(Christmas Party)
Support Group for Partners and Carers
Bournemouth Cancer Support Centre offers free services for anyone affected by a diagnosis of cancer. Our new support group is a community of people with similar situations coming together to share knowledge and experiences. The group is facilitated by an experienced counsellor who will provide practical coping skills and resources. Each group member will be given the opportunity to talk openly and confidentially. Monthly/2nd Wednesday 2pm.
For more information, please call 01202 315824 or email Bournemouth.centre@wessexcancer.org.uk
There is a wealth of information on NHS Choices about carers and caring. Below are some links into the site that we hope you will find useful.
- Caring for a parent
Watch this video on: caring for a parent at home
- Telling people
Caring responsibilities can make it difficult to maintain friendships or develop new ones. Telling your friends you're a carer is important so they understand and can support you.
- Taking a break
Caring for someone can be a full-time job, but it's essential that you take time out for yourself too. Read our guide to accessing breaks and respite.
- Housing and carers
Do you know your tenancy rights as a carer? Are you aware of all your care at home options? Do you need tips on moving someone around the home?
Carers support groups
Finance and Law
Help claiming benefits, looking after your bank balance and understanding the legal issues of caring.
- Benefits for carers
Directing carers to the benefits that can help them in their caring role
- Benefits for the person you care for
Advice and information on helping the person you look after get the benefits that they are entitled to
- Death and benefits
How your benefits maybe affected after the death of the person you look after and what happens to their benefits
- Managing someone's legal affairs
Advice for when carers find they have to take over the legal affairs of the person they are looking after
- Other benefits
Advice for carers and the people they are looking after on claiming a whole host of other benefits unrelated to their disability or caring
- Personal and household finance
Advice on keeping a tight rein on household and personal finance for carers
- Social fund
- Tax credits
Information on claiming tax credits and whether you might be eligible.
In times of Bereavement
If Death Occurs At Home
1. Telephone the doctor who will visit to confirm that death has taken place.
2. Contact a funeral director.
3. Arrange to collect the doctor's Medical Certificate of Death (usually from the surgery).
4. Take this to the Registrars Office, (together with the deceased's Medical Card and Birth Certificate, if available) for the area in which the death took place. Alternatively you can register by declaration at any convenient Registrars Office but certificates will not be available as these will have to be posted to you a few days later.
5. The Registrar will normally issue a Green coloured certificate for you to give to your funeral director who will look after necessary arrangements for the funeral. The Registrar will also issue a white notification certificate for the DSS. They will also enquire as to the number of Certified Copies you require for dealing with the deceased finances (a fee is payable for each copy).
If The Death Occurs In Hospital
1. Contact a funeral director to inform him his services are required.
2. Collect the certificate from the hospital then follow 4 - 5 as above
Note For Cremation
Your funeral director will usually liaise directly with the surgery regarding the additional certification required.
If following a bereavement you feel you may wish to talk to someone please contact Cruse Bereavement Care