First step

We support carers across the Solihull Borough by providing:

lnformation and advice
Emotional support
Signposting to other services
Carer’s Assessment for Direct Payments
Twice yearly newsletter
Home visits
Local carers’ support groups
Young carers’ support
Carer training sessions
Social events and activities
Advocacy

Looking after yourself

The stresses and strains of being a carer can be under-estimated and misunderstood by people who have never been in that position. lt may be difficult to insist that other people (including the person you are caring for ) recognise your needs. lt is very important to maintain friends, relationships and contacts, especially if you had to give up work or social activities to be at home.

You may not have as much time, space and freedom as before. Try to make sure you do something each day for yourself. This could be a five minutes relaxation, cup of coffee, reading the newspaper, a walk or a soak in the bath.

Whilst stress is an everyday feature of modern living, carers may experience a high level of stress as a result of their caring situation. Even when the person you care for is someone you love, changes in circumstances or in personality due to disability, financial worries and relationships can take their toll. Stress can leave a carer feeling isolated, exhausted and resentful.

Warning signs

lnsomnia
Tiredness
Headaches
Digestive problems
Frustration
lrritability or tenderfulness
Difficulty in making decisions
Problems with concentrating
lnability to relax
Loss of appetite or a tendency to eat / drink more than normal
Bad back

lf you have experienced any of the above, try to take a break from your caring role .

Remember: to be of help to the person you care for, you must first look after yourself.

Financial support

Many carers experience financial difficulty as a result of caring. This can be due to loss of earnings or the additional costs that caring may involve. However, there are government benefits that carers, or the people they care for, may be entitled to claim. One of our Carers’ Support Workers can advise and help you with making enquiries or completing the forms. The following is a brief outline of some of the benefits that may be available to you.

Direct Payments

Direct Payments are cash payments made to individuals who are assessed as needing help from Social Services. ln Solihull, a project has been running to extend these payments to carers providing substantial care to people over the age of 16. This rewards carers for their contribution to the Borough. These one-off payments are means tested, but can be spent on whatever the carer is assessed as needing to help them with their caring role. Solihull Carers Centre, as well as Social Services, can carry out these assessments in your home or a mutually convenient place. For more details contact Solihull Carers Centre on 0121 788 1143.

Carer’s Allowance

Carer’s allowance is the only State benefit which is specifically for the carer. You may be able to claim it if:

You are 16 or over

You spend a minimum of 35 hours a week looking after someone

lf you work, you don’t take home more than £100 per week

You are not in full time education

The person you care for is in receipt of Disability Living Allowance (middle or higher care component)

The person you care for is in receipt of Attendance Allowance.

Benefits for the person you care for

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) - This is a tax free and non means tested benefit for people under 65 needing help with personal care, or with getting around, or both.

Attendance Allowance (AA) - This is a tax free and non means tested benefit for people aged 65 and over who need help with personal care or supervision as a result of illness or disability.

lndustrial lnjuries Benefit - This may be payable if the illness is caused by working conditions e.g. exposure to asbestos, lung disease, eye or hearing loss. One of our Carers’ Support Workeras can advise you.

For further information on benefits contact the Solihull Carers Centre.

Carers’ Legislation

Carers (Recognition and Services) Act 1995

lmplemented in April 1996. This act gives recognition to the carer and the right to an assessment when the cared for is being assessed or re-assessed – but no rights to services. The carer has to be providing, or intending to provide, regular or substantial care.

Carers and Disabled Children Act 2000

lmplented April 2001. This act gives carers the right to an individual asssessment even if the person cared for has refused an assessment for their own needs. This gives carers rights to services, providing resources are availabe to meet the needs presented. lt gives carers the right to direct payment but it also gives Local Authorities the power to charge carers for services.

Community Care (Delayed Discharge etc) Act 2003

lmplented January 2004. This act means the local authority is required to make a payment to the relevant NHS body where it has not succeeded in putting together a discharge plan for an individual within the specified number of days OR where a patient’s discharge has been delayed because (and only because) the local authority has not been ready to provide services to the patient or their carer at the specified time of discharge, whichever of these is latter. Patients are, on some occasions, being sent home without consideration for the carer’s ability to cope.

Carers (Equal Opportunities) Act 2004

lmplemented April 2005. This act means the Local Authority has to let Carers know of their rights to an assessment and has to provide the information on services, such as leisure, education and employment, which will support them within their caring role. lt also means that other agencies must consider any request for services that arise from an assessment.

(Every reasonable effort is made to ensure the information provided is accurate and up to date at time of printing. No responsibility for its accuracy and correctness, or for any consequences of relying on it, is assumed by Solihull Carers Center)