Health Advice - Carers

What do we mean by a carer?

A carer is someone who spends a lot of time providing a variety of emotional and practical support to a loved one, family member or friend, because of their disability, physical or mental ill health, substance misuse or because they are elderly and frail, without getting paid.

If you are a partner, relative or close friend of someone with health difficulties and you provide a major part of their care, then you would be known as a 'carer'.

It can sometimes be difficult to see yourself as a carer, particularly if you are looking after a friend or family member. If you answer yes, or even maybe, to any of the following then you would be considered a carer:

• Do you feel responsible for supporting a person with ill health?

• Do you assist a person on a day-to-day basis?

• Do you feel you have to be there for them?

• Do you feel no-one understands the pressures on you?

• Do you feel you have to cope alone?
  

A carer can be any age - and so can the person you look after.

Please let your GP practice know if you are a carer and this will be marked on your records so that any relevant support can be offered. The following websites provide a range of useful support and information specifically for carers.