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Carers are the main support line for many people, they may be a friend or relative who regularly help, looks after or supports someone over the age of 18 who wouldn’t be able to manage everyday life without their help.
Carers under the age of 18 are sometimes called ‘young carers‘.
Who you may be looking after
ou may be caring for a partner, relative, friend or neighbour. For example, it may be someone who:
has a physical or learning disability
has a mental health condition
is living with dementia
has sight, hearing or communication difficulties
has a long-term health condition
misuses drugs or alcohol
A carer doesn’t have to be living with the person they care for, and the help they give doesn’t have to be physical.
Things you may help with
You may be helping with:
shopping, personal finances
paperwork and administration
transportation
personal care, such as washing and dressing
going to the toilet or dealing with incontinence
eating or taking medicines
getting about at home or outside
practical things, like companionship
counselling, emotional support or communicating
attending appointments
Do I look like I care?
Do you look after, or give any help or support such as the examples listed above, to anyone and are not paid for this?
Did you know we can record that you are an unpaid carer on your medical record?
If we know you that you are helping someone else and they can’t cope without your support we can offer you help, advice and signpost you to support services.
Financial aid is also available to carers. You can get £67.60 a week if you care for someone at least 35 hours a week and they get certain benefits.
You do not have to be related to, or live with, the person you care for.
You do not get paid extra if you care for more than one person.
If someone else also cares for the same person as you, only one of you can claim Carer’s Allowance.
Use the Essex County Council simple care contribution calculator to estimate if you, or the person you are looking after, might be eligible for financial support towards care costs.
Looking after a friend or loved one can sometimes being extremely challenging leaving you feeling alone, angry or upset. This is perfectly natural.
Carers First help carers and people who look after someone. They are your first point of contact for information, advice and guidance. They can offer emotional as well as practical support.
Action for Family Carers makes a positive difference to the lives of both adult and young carers across Essex by providing a variety of services. These include carer advice and information, Feeling Good Caring Well programme of wellbeing activities, Essex Befriends, Carer Counselling, and Day Care and Activity Groups for vulnerable older people. For Young Carers under 18 years of age there is countywide in-school support and Young Carers Clubs in 5 Districts.
Did you know that Carers can receive discounts at hundreds of retailer; Exclusive discounts, cashback & vouchers for Carers & Care Workers. For care assistants, live-in carers, those that care for loved ones, and everyone in between.
