You are a carer if you provide help and support, unpaid, to a family member, friend or neighbour who would otherwise not be able to manage. The person you care for may have a physical or learning disability, dementia, mental health problems, may misuse drugs or alcohol or may be ill or frail. The person may live with you or elsewhere, may be an adult or a child but if they rely on you for support, then you are a carer. Carers come from all walks of life, all cultures and can be of any age.
We, as a practice are dedicated to offering you as much help and support as needed and work very closely with Carers in Hertfordshire in order to achieve this. It is therefore important that we know if you are a carer. Please fill in a Carer Registration Form or let our reception or clinical staff know.
Benefits of Registering as a Carer with our practice:
- Flexible appointments
- Information and Support
- Free flu vaccination
- Carers’ annual health check
Carers in Hertfordshire is a local charity providing free help and support to any carer living or working in the county.
Carers in Hertfordshire aims to help carers take better care of themselves through breaks, leisure and learning opportunities and by ensuring they focus on their own health and wellbeing. They provide information and support to help you in your caring role. They can also help you to identify ways to make time for yourself, focus on your own health needs and access local leisure and learning opportunities.
Contact Carers in Hertfordshire
Tel: 01992 58 69 69
Email: [email protected]
Visit: www.carersinherts.org.uk
Additional Information and Support
If you would like to be contacted by one of our Carers Champions, please let our reception team know or email us on [email protected]
We have a dedicated Carers notice board at Bridgewater House (1st floor waiting room) with information and news on local events. You can also visit this website regularly for up-to-date information:
Do you support someone with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) or Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder (EUPD)? FACTS in Watford will run a free 5-week course for those who care for a person with BPD/EUPD. To find out more, please go to: Families and Carers Training and Support Programme (FACTS) (annafreud.org)
There is a wealth of information on the NHS website about carers and caring. Below are some links into the site that we hope you will find useful.
- A guide to care and support – information for carers and people who have care & support needs.
- Caring for someone – advice on providing care, medicines etc.
- Care after hospital – providing care for people who have been recently discharged from hospital.
- Taking a break – caring for someone can be a full-time job – find out about accessing breaks and respite care.
- Support and benefits for carers – caring for someone can be a full-time job – find out about accessing breaks and respite care.
- Work and Disability – guidance, support and help with employment issues.
- Being a Young carer – advice for carers 18 or under and their entitlement to support
Finance and Law
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 under-65s – advice and information on helping the person you look after get the benefits that they are entitled to.
- Benefits for the over-65s – advice and information on financial support for older people with a disability or illness.
- Carer’s Assessment – how your benefits maybe affected after the death of the person you look after and what happens to their benefits
- 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