Caring for someone
Are you a carer?
A carer looks after somebody who needs regular help with their daily life because of their illness, frailty, disability, a mental health need or an addiction, and cannot manage without a carer’s support. The support they provide is unpaid.
Community resources and groups for carers
There is a range of local organisations that offer information, advice, and support for unpaid carers and the person they care for. These include:
Simply Connect Bromley is an online directory connecting you to your local community, listing groups and services in your area.
Your guide to independent living (support and care services directory) is available online, or you can order a printed copy from: health.partnership@bromley.gov.uk. This contains a range of information, advice and guidance, as well as a list of local care agencies and organisations.
Age UK provides services for older adults and their carers and also holds regular activities and events.
Bromley Dementia Support Hub provides services for people with dementia and support and training for their carers.
Bromley MindCare provides services for people with dementia. This includes support at home with individually tailored activities, giving families and friends some time away from caring for someone with dementia.
Bromley Mencap provides services for people with learning disabilities and support for their carers.
South East London Mind provides services for people who live in Bromley to look after and improve their mental health and wellbeing.
Bromley Well services for carers
We commission a dedicated service for unpaid adult carers and young carers called Bromley Well. Bromley Well brings together a variety of individual support services in a partnership of local organisations comprising of Age UK, Mind, Mencap and Citizens Advice.
Bromley Well provide a range of free support for unpaid carers including:
- information, advice, and guidance
- emotional and practical support
- access to financial support and advice
- peer support
- free training courses
Visit the Bromley Well website for more information.
Carer’s assessment
Carers have a right to a carers assessment under the Care Act 2014. A carer’s assessment is an opportunity to discuss the impact caring is having on your life. This includes physical, mental and emotional needs, and whether you are able or willing to continue caring.
Find out more about carer's assessments.
Advocacy
If you find it challenging to fully participate in decisions affecting your life, you may benefit from having an advocate to support you in expressing your needs and wishes.
Financial support and advice
Benefits, credits, advice, and support with form-filling
As an unpaid carer there may be certain benefits and credits available to you, and the person you care for.
The Carers Trust provides an online benefits calculator and have more information on money and benefits available on their website.
Carers Trust- money and benefits.
Bromley Well provide an advice service which covers benefits, and also can provide help with form-filling.
Find out more about benefits support from Bromley Well.
Your rights at work as a carer
To help you in your caring role, you may be eligible for flexible working hours with your employer. This can allow you to manage your work and caring responsibilities.
For more information about your rights at work and flexible working visit Your rights in work | Carers UK.
Planning for the future
Planning for emergencies
If you look after someone it can be helpful to create an emergency plan, ahead of an actual emergency.
Planning in advance and talking about who could provide care on your behalf makes an emergency easier to deal with if you suddenly fall ill or are unavailable to care for any reason. Sometimes this is called contingency planning.
An emergency plan, or contingency plan, should cover:
- Name, address and any other contact details of the person you care for
- Emergency contact details of people who can provide replacement care
- Any medication the person is taking
- Any ongoing treatment they need
- Their support, mobility and communication needs
- Pets and any agreed arrangements for these in event of emergency (e.g., if a neighbour will look after them)
It would also be useful to share it with trusted family members or friends and healthcare professionals. Give people a copy of the plan or let them know where they can find it and make sure the information is regularly updated. This could help prevent a stressful situation further down the line and lift a weight from your shoulders. You can also keep a copy somewhere visible, like on your fridge.
Making legal and financial arrangements
It is important to think about bank accounts, powers of attorney and creating a will for you and the person you care for.
Find out more about making a lasting power of attorney.
Some people may want to set out their wishes for the future if they become terminally ill, or in the event that they need medical treatment but have lost the mental capacity to make those decisions.
Visit the Age UK website for information about making a living will (advance decision).