Caring for someone else
Many people regularly look after someone close to them who is ill, has a disability or is getting older. Perhaps you help with shopping, appointments, paperwork or personal care. If so, you are an informal carer. On this page, you’ll find information about informal care, support, practical help and what you can do if looking after someone else is taking a lot out of you.
What is informal care?
Informal care is unpaid care provided to someone close to you, such as a partner, parent, child, relative, friend or neighbour. This may involve help with shopping, paperwork, personal care, managing medication, transport to appointments or emotional support.
This often involves care that goes beyond the usual help given to family, friends or neighbours. Informal care can sometimes take up a few hours a week, but it can also take up a large part of your day.
When are you considered a carer?
When you think of informal care, you might picture someone who provides care on a daily basis. However, you can also be an informal carer even if you help out less frequently.
For example, you are an informal carer if you:
- Helping a parent who can no longer manage everything on their own
- Caring for a partner with a chronic illness
- Supporting a child with a disability
- Caring for a family member with dementia
- Regularly accompanies them to medical appointments
Caring for a loved one can be a heavy burden
For many informal carers, looking after a loved one is something they take for granted. However, it can sometimes be difficult to keep up with the care. You may find yourself feeling overwhelmed if you:
- You’re often tired
- Sleeps poorly
- Experiences stress
- You get annoyed easily
- You don’t have much time for yourself
Don’t wait until it becomes too much. It’s important to ask for help in good time.
You don’t have to do it on your own
There are various organisations that support informal carers. They can offer advice, information and practical help. Examples include:
- A meeting with an informal carer support adviser
- Courses or meetings
- Contact with other informal carers
- Advice on schemes and provisions
- Help with organising care
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Take some time for yourself with respite care
Are you providing intensive care for someone? If so, it’s important to take a break every now and then. Respite care can help with this. Respite care means that someone else temporarily takes over the care from you. This gives you some time to yourself. Examples of respite care include:
- Day care
- Residential care
- Home care
- Volunteers who are helping out on a temporary basis
- Respite care
Support from the local council
The local authority can provide support under the Social Support Act (Wmo). Depending on the situation, there may be options for:
- Domestic help
- Guidance
- Day care
- Resources
- Home adaptations
- Transport facilities
What can your GP do for you?
The GP not only helps the patient, but also pays attention to the carer. You can contact the GP if:
- You realise that looking after them is becoming too much for you
- You’re worried about your own health
- You have questions about your care situation
Your GP can discuss things with you and, if necessary, refer you to the appropriate support services.
Informal care for people with dementia
Are you caring for someone with dementia? If so, the nature of that care may change over time. As the disease progresses, the person often needs more help and support. This can place a great emotional and practical strain on you. It’s important not only to look after the person you’re caring for, but also to continue looking after yourself properly. Please feel free to discuss any questions or concerns with your GP or practice nurse.
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