Service Description: This service helps people to find out more about being a Carer and what support is available for Carers on the Island.
Also known as:- Adult Carers, Carer, Carers
Answer: This is a check list of things you may want to think about for your assessment. Everyone’s situation is different, and so not all the questions may seem relevant to you. Focus on what you think is important. Remember the assessment is about your needs - the person you care for will have their own assessment. Your role • Do you think you have a choice? • How much time does caring take up, and are there things involved that you can’t do, or don’t want to do? • Are you feeling constantly stressed? • Does caring stop you doing things that are important to you? Yourself • What would you like to do that you can’t? • Do you have a past hobby, sport or interest that you would like to do again? • Do you see the friends and relatives you would like to? • Can you get out when you want to? • Do you have someone you can talk to or confide in? Your time • How much time do you get to do the things you want to do for yourself? • How much time do you spend doing practical things for the person you care for that they can’t do for themselves? • What are these things? • Do you have to spend time ‘just being there’ for the person you care for or supervising them as they do things? • Can the person you care for be left alone? • Do you have to provide help at night and, if so, what? Your work • Do you have a job or would you like to get one? • What help do you need to keep or get that job? • Can your employer change your hours or change your job so that you can stay in work? • Do you need training to help you get a job? Money • Are you sure you have claimed all the benefits and allowances you are entitled to? • Can the person you care for manage their own money? • Do they help you with the expenses of living? Health • Do you understand all the health needs of the person you care for? • Do you know who to contact in an emergency? • Do you have any health problems of your own, either now or that you think may get worse in the future? • Do you get enough sleep? Are you able to rest and switch off? Housing • Do you and the person you care for live together or apart? • Is the arrangement satisfactory? • Who owns the house and who has the rights to live in it? • Is the house suitable for the physical needs of the person you care for? • Is the house suitable for the needs of everyone else who lives there? • Is there easy access to facilities you need in your community, such as the doctor, the post office, shops and the chemist? The future • What would happen to the person you care for if you were unable to provide the care you do • What will happen when you no longer have to provide care?