When you’re caring for someone else, it can be easy to overlook your own needs. Looking after your own health and making time for yourself can help you feel better and more able to cope with your caring role. This isn’t always easy, but it is important to aim to achieve a balance between your caring responsibilities and own personal life.  

• getting the help you need
• financial support
• practical tips and advice
• looking after yourself.

The Age UK ‘carers checklist’ is a succinct ‘to-do’ list for carers interested in maximising the support available to them.

What is a Carer ID Card and how do I apply?

The Carer ID Card offers a form of verified identification, recognised nationally, which acknowledges your caring role and provides access to various benefits, offers and services. The card is free of charge, and issued by Forward Carers. The card verifies your caring identity and includes your photograph and your In Case of Emergency (ICE) contact details.

You can find apply for a carers ID Card using the link below:

The Forward Carers website also provides useful information about caring, including information regarding who classifies as a carer and links to support groups and resources, including a benefits calculator. 

As a carer, you may be eligible for financial support including ‘Carer’s Allowance’ or ‘Carer’s Credit.

Carer’s Allowance is the main welfare benefit to help carers, worth £69.70 per week (this figure is usually reviewed each April). To be eligible for Carer’s Allowance, you must:

• spend at least 35 hours per week caring for someone, whether or not you live with them
• care for someone who receives certain benefits
• not be in full-time education or earning more than £132 a week (after tax and expenses)

Attendance Allowance is a benefit for people over State Pension age who need help with personal care or supervision by day, or someone to watch over them by night, because of physical or mental
disability.

The person that you care for might be entitled to Personal Independence Payments (PIP).  

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is for people aged between 16
years and State Pension age who require help with daily living activities
or getting around due to long-term illness or disability. PIP does not
depend on National Insurance contributions, it is not affected by your
income or savings, and it is paid on top of most other benefits or
pensions. It is payable whether you work or not and is not taxable.

As well as assessing the needs of the person you care for, your local council’s Adult Social Care department should give you a Carer’s Assessment to see what help you might need in your caring role. It is not to assess your ability to care, but what support you might be entitled to.

You can get a carer’s assessment whether the person you care for is having their needs assessed or not.

The kind of help and support you could get includes:

• respite care to give you a break
• information on local support groups
• help with caring
• equipment to help you in your caring role.

You may also be entitled to a ‘personal budget’, which is the amount of money the council has calculated will cover the support needs identified in your assessment. This can be taken as a ‘direct payment’ and could help you maintain your interests outside of your caring responsibilities. This direct payment could be a one-off payment, for example to fund an exercise class, or it could be an ongoing payment, for example to spend on something every week, like membership to a club.

Caring for someone with Dementia

Looking after a friend or relative who has dementia can be very challenging. But it’s just as important to look after yourself, too.

Caring for someone with dementia can lead to feelings of guilt, sadness, confusion or anger. Unlike other conditions, it can be difficult to share these feelings with someone with dementia, leaving you feeling very isolated.

It’s important to acknowledge these feelings and to remember that there’s no right or wrong way to feel. If you’re feeling anxious or low or you’re struggling to cope, talk to your doctor who can let you know about the help and support available to you.

You can find more information and support services for carers via Alzheimer’s Support.

Please see the below factsheets for information about dementia care:

Caring for someone who is reaching the end of their life can be really challenging. Planning for this loss can be difficult – lots of us tend to put it off until we have to. But giving the topic some thought means that you can consider all the available options.

Our guides about death and dying cover planning ahead, as well as both the practical and emotional side of a bereavement.