What Makes You A Carer?
A carer is someone who regularly looks after a relative, friend or neighbour who, because of disability, age, frailty or mental illness, would otherwise experience significant difficulties living independently.
Most carers are adults but sometimes people under the age of 18 also take on this role. Carers are unpaid but some may be eligible for and receive carers allowance. However, they would not be considered to be a care worker who carries out this work as a paid job.
You can be a carer whether you live with he person you care for , or at another address. Many people carry all duties of a carer but are not aware that they can be recognised in this role.
How Does The Practice Identify Carers?
If you have recently joined the practice you will have been given a registration sheet to fill in which asks you to let us know if you are a carer for someone or cared by someone, whether they are at the same practice are not.
Our summariser will also be looking for this information where we receive your medical records from your previous GP and will check that this information is added to our computer system.
If you are over 75 years of age you will receive an invitation annually for a health check with a clinician. They will regularly update your information to include any change in your circumstances.
We also collate the information directly form patients if we feel they may be a carer e.g someone who always attends appointments with another person, if someone is always collecting a prescription on a patients behalf or from general conversations we may have with the patient. At this point we may ask the person to complete the carers consent form (see link below)
If you feel that you may be taking on more duties on behalf of a relative, friend or neighbour and that you could be considered to be recognised as a carer, discuss your situation with a GP or Practice Nurse. alternatively, you can complete the carer's from above and hand it to a reception member for your records to be updated.
How Can We Help?
Your health and welfare are important not only to yourself but also to the person you care for to enable them to continue living independently. There is a particular impact that caring has on a carer's health and well-being, employment, study and leisure interests. This is where the Practice may be able to help YOU.
- Health Check- We can offer you an appointment for an annual health and well being check with one of our Practice Nurses or Healthcare Assistant
- Carers Group- We can signpost you to local carers services which hold carers support groups so you can communicate with other carers
- Influenza Vaccination- You will be placed on our register of patients eligible for a vaccination and receive a letter of invitation each year.
- Social Services- We can also arrange social services to carry out an assessment and arrange assistance with such things as home care, meals on wheels, occupational therapy (handrails, wider doorways, stair lifts) and benefits.
Useful Contact Detail
Oldham Carers Service
Phone lines are open Monday to Friday 08.40am to 17.00pm: 0161 770 7777