What is a Carer?

A Carer is someone who, without payment, regularly helps a disabled, ill or frail relative, friend or neighbour.

If you are a Carer, we would like to know via the form opposite. As a Practice we can offer you help and support.  Tina Tubbs from the Patient Services Team is our Carer's Lead and is available for support and advice via reception.

Register as a Carer on www.carersupportdorset.co.uk or via 0800 368 8349 for further support and information.

There is also an organisation called Help and Care - telephone number: 01202 434455 - who have free factsheets on more than 20 topics relevant to Carers and will visit you or can offer support if you contact them.

Carers UK – making life better for carers

20 Great Dover Street, London SE1 4LX 

Tel:  020 7378 4999 

Email:  info@carersuk.org

There is a wealth of information on NHS Choices about carers and caring.  Below are some links into the site that we hope you will find useful.

• Caring for a parent

  Seeing a parent struggle in later life is always difficult. You instinctively want to help, but it can be hard to know where to start.

• 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?

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