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Carers assessments

A carer’s assessment is available from the local authority for anyone providing unpaid care and support for an elderly parent or relative. You or a parent caring for the other, could be eligible for things like help with housework, leisure memberships or respite services. 

What you need to know about carers assessments

The focus is on the carer’s ability to continue to provide care for someone else. It can be arranged on its own or in conjunction with a care needs assessment for the person being cared for. 

How do you know you’re a carer?

Anyone who provides care and feels they might benefit from some support will be entitled to an assessment if as a result of caring for another adult:
• Their physical or mental health is at risk of deteriorating, or
• They are unable to achieve any of a list of specified outcomes (including things like maintaining family relationships or engaging in recreational activities) and this has a significant impact on their well-being.

You’re a carer if you’re looking after someone regularly because they’re ill, they’re an older person or they’re disabled – including family members. Carers help with:

  • washing, dressing or taking medicines
  • getting out and about and travelling to doctors’ appointments
  • shopping, cleaning and laundry
  • paying bills and organising finances

They can also give emotional support by:

  • sitting with someone to keep them company
  • watching over someone if they can’t be left alone

All of these count as being a carer.

What help and support is available?

The support given will be means tested by the local authority, however, the following might be available:
• Respite care for a holiday
• A sitting service, a day centre placement or a befriending service
• Carer’s training to include lifting techniques for example
• Computer and training courses to aid starting or returning to paid work
• Taxi fares to help with travel
• Gardening and housework help

What happens in the carer’s assessment

Someone from the council will ask how you’re coping with caring, how it affects your physical and mental health, as well as how it impacts on work, leisure time and relationships.

How to prepare for a carer’s assessment

You’ll need:

  1. NHS number 
  2. your GP’s name, address and phone number
  3. the name, address, date of birth and NHS number of the person you care for

It is important to be as open and honest as possible about the impact caring for someone is having. This will help make sure you get all the help and support you need.

The council will inform you of any support they feel you might benefit from which will be contained in a care and support plan. 

Help with costs

There may be some financial help available, but this will require an additional financial assessment.  This will be carried out separately.  

There are benefits available, including for example carer’s allowance.  It is well worth exploring these. 

Supporting the carer is so important whether that is you or a parent/relative in the primary role.  Take care of yourself, to take care of them.