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.
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).
Care Navigators
Care Navigators are there to help you navigate through the health and social system. Providing support, and ensuring your health and social care needs are met.
They will be able to signpost you and your carers to other services and voluntary organisations available in your community. Please ask your Doctor or a Receptionist for more information.
They will act as a point of contact for you and your carer as well as for your GP practice and other health and social care professionals.
The NHS has produced a booklet 'A practical guide to healthy caring' which includes a lot of useful advice for carers.
Community Cafe
Our 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.
New Forest Disability
New Forest Disability Providing free information and advice to those of any age affected by disability. Related issues include: caring, access, blue badge, welfare benefit applications, volunteering opportunities, equipment, holidays, training, education and transport etc ..throughout the New Forest and surrounding area.
NFDIS Equipment brochure
An online resource for adults with care and support needs.
There is a wealth of information on the NHS Website 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
Contact Carers Direct
- Telephone
- 0808 802 0202
- Helpline Information
- http://www.nhs.uk/carersdirect/carerslives/updates/pages/carersdirecthelpline.aspx
- Email
- CarersDirect@nhschoices.nhs.uk
- Office Hours
- Lines are open 8am to 9pm Monday to Friday, 11am to 4pm at weekends. Calls are free from UK landlines.
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