Family, friends, supporters - ‘Our Partners in Care’ - ‘Carers’
Anyone may be able to identify as a carer. Carers come from all walks of life, all cultures and can be of any age. Many feel they are doing what anyone else would do in the same situation, looking after their relative, friend, neighbour and just getting on with it.
The key is to think about whether the same level of care and support is needed for everyone who is at the same age or stage in their life, or whether a bit more is required for someone because they find managing everyday life tasks more challenging than others for some reason.
The Carers Trust describes a carer as “anyone who cares, unpaid, for a friend or family member who due to illness, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction cannot cope without their support".
If someone is receiving NSFT services, then they are experiencing significant challenges. While NSFT provides the professional care and treatment needed, people also tend to need ‘informal/unpaid care and support’ too, for example, reminders and help to get to appointments, to collect and manage medication, emotional support, prompts about self-care and eating, managing finances, engaging socially. People providing such unpaid support can be considered as ‘carers.’
NHS and Social Care professionals have a responsibility to identify Carers, discussing with potential Carers they see them as such and should record they have done this and any actions taken.
