15 December 2015

Help and support for carers

There are nearly 7 million carers in the UK and over the next 30 years, this number is expected to rise by 60% to 10.4 million, largely as a result of our rapidly ageing population.

Carers – often family members, friends and neighbours – provide unpaid help to keep people in their homes and communities. Their work is vital to society, yet too often they are undervalued and unsupported. A paper commissioned in 2011 by charity Carers UK reported that the economic value of the contribution made by carers in the UK is an astonishing £119 billion a year – that’s equivalent to £18,473 per carer. Yet, many carers are forced to make huge sacrifices, sich as giving up on work, missing out on state benefits and often putting their own lives on hold while they look after their loved ones.

Financial support for carers

Carer’s Allowance (CA): Live-in carers may be entitled to claim CA if the person being cared for has been awarded Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Attendance Allowance (AA). Carers who do not live with the person they care for may also claim CA but importantly, this might affect any means-tested benefit the person being cared for receives. See How to claim Carers Allowance

Carer’s Credit: Carers who spend at least 20 hours a week caring for someone are entitled to claim Carer’s Credit, which helps fill gaps in people’s National Insurance record.

General support and advice for carers

The two main organisations which exist to provide help and support for carers in the UK are Carers UK, which celebrates its 50^th anniversary in 2015, and the Carers Trust, which was formed in 2012 after a merger of Crossroads Care and The Princess Royal Trust for Carers. The Carers UK and Carers Trust websites offer a wealth of useful resources, practical advice and active forums, where carers can share their experiences.

Carers UK Adviceline: 0800 808 7777: Open Monday to Friday between 10am and 4pm, the Carers UK Adviceline is manned by trained volunteers, who can help with everything from advice on claiming benefits to emotional support.

Carers’ Centres: The Carers Trust provides access to a nationwide network of 144 Carers’ Centres offering a range of local support services for carers via telephone, drop-in or outreach surgeries. The centres are independent charities and together they aim to make it easier for carers to cope.

Carers Direct Helpline: 0300 123 1053, offered by the NHS between 9am – 8pm weekdays and from 11am to 4pm at weekends. Advisers can provide information on benefits and where to get specialist help and support.

Caring for older parents and relatives

If you a regular visitor to the myageingparent website, chances are you have some responsibility for an older parent or relative. You are part of a growing army of carers, whether you live with your loved one, or struggle to care from a distance.

We have several useful articles that can help, including:

The Care Act 2014

The Care Act 2014 came into force in April 2015 with important amendments to carers rights. One of the key changes is that local authorities now have a responsibility to assess a carer’s need for support, including financial, as well as assessing the impact of caring on the carer. See our Essential Guide to the new Care Act for further details.

Introducing such changes is one thing, but effective implementation is another. A freedom of Information request made to 147 local councils by the charity Carers Trust, found that, of the 132 councils who responded, only 17 (13%) were working to identify carers, and only 10 (8%) councils provided details of the specific support they are providing.The Carers Trust is now urging local authorities to adopt a better strategy to prevent carers from ‘burning out’.

Support Carers Rights Day (20 November 2015)

Carers deserve the freedom to enjoy hobbies, stay healthy, and pursue work opportunities, just like anyone else. However, many carers miss out on financial and practical support as they are too busy caring for others. Around £843 million-worth of benefits go unclaimed by carers every year as don’t realise they are entitled to them. Organised by the national membership charity Carers UK, Carers Rights Day aims to help carers understand their rights and find out how they can get the help and support they are entitled to. The charity says that around 6,000 people become carers every day in the UK and for many it’s a frightening, bewildering experience. The charity organises a range of fundraising and awareness activities for Carers Rights Day – you can find out more on their website.

Carers UK

Carers Trust

Carers Advice helpline