Whether juggling family and work commitments to provide care a few hours a week, or caring 24 hours each day, if you provide regular help and support to a partner, relative or friend because they cannot manage without your help, then Carers Link is here for you.
In East Dunbartonshire 1 Person in 8 is a Carer.
As a Carer, or as someone who may be about to become a Carer, you have the right to have your own needs considered. Providing care and support to someone can be very rewarding but it can also affect other areas of your life such as your job, relationships, family life, and even your own health.
Three out of every five people will become a Carer at some point in their life, but if this has happened to you, it should not be assumed that you can or will provide all or even some of the care necessary. This does not reflect on how much you may love the person needing care, but assuming responsibility for another adult should be a choice.
If you are about to become a Carer – perhaps someone is being discharged from hospital – it is important to know what care is needed and to think about whether or not you can provide it. Carers Link can help discuss your options and help you think about what help you may need.
Some Carers may have found their role has grown over the years, especially if caring for elderly parents, and may not even think of themselves as a ‘Carer’. But whether you are someone who has provided care and support for years, or someone not yet started, you have the right to have your own needs assessed if you are – or will be – providing regular and substantial levels of care to another adult or child.
The process of having your needs assessed is called a Carers Assessment and it will give a clear picture of your time commitment and caring responsibilities, including how these are impacting on other aspects of your life and health. The assessment will look at what your needs are and how best these needs can be met. Carers Link can help you request a Carers Assessment from Social Work or you can request one directly either through your Social Worker or by calling East Dunbartonshire Council Social Work Adult Intake Team on 0141 355 2200.
Your Rights & the Carer Assessment
