Norfolk Fact sheet. Support for Norfolk Carers. Number 3. Last updated: February 2015

Transcription

1 Norfolk Fact sheet Number 3 Support for Norfolk Carers Last updated: February 2015

2 Contents Are you a Carer? page 3 Local organisations for supporting Carers page 3-7 Learning Grant for Norfolk Carers page 8 National organisations page 9-12 Benefits for Carers page Useful publications page Other information page 17 For details of all Age UK fact sheets, go to page 2

3 Are you a Carer? The term Carer is used to distinguish those who provide care for others on an unpaid basis, apart from those who are paid (Care Workers, home helps and people employed by someone with a disability). If you are looking after a relative, partner or friend, who cannot manage without your help (for example, because of illness; physical or mental incapacity; or age-related frailty) then you are a Carer. You may be caring all the time or for just some of the time. Caring can be a fulfilling experience. It can also be time consuming, tiring and stressful. The responsibilities of caring can restrict other aspects of your life. Because caring is mostly done at home or in the home of the person you are helping, it can leave Carers feeling isolated or lonely. Caring can bring money pressures with it and even a deterioration in the health of the Carer, both mental and physical. This factsheet is a guide to some of the support services available to Norfolk s Carers. Local organisations for supporting Carers: There will be times when you want to talk to someone who understands how you feel because they are in a similar situation themselves. Going to a Carers support group is one way of finding mutual support. There are support groups throughout Norfolk for Carers, their friends or family. Every group is different. Some will meet for friendship, social activities and mutual support - others may offer practical advice or help. The following organisations may help you to find a Carers support group near you. Alternatively, contact Age UK Norfolk for information (see back page). page 3

4 NCC Adult Social Care Services Support for Carers: Much of the support Norfolk Adult Social Care provide is through services they can arrange for the person you care for such as: care in the home; meals on wheels; day care; equipment and adaptations within the home; and respite care. These services can give you a break while someone else steps in to support the person you care for. To find out what assistance the person you care for may be entitled to, ask for an assessment of their needs. A social worker or occupational therapist will discuss the situation with you and the person you are caring for. You should be fully involved in any discussion about the needs of the person you care for and the care plan which is drawn up. When the person you care for has an assessment, you also have the right to have your own separate Carer s Assessment to look at what you need in order to be able to care. This could be at the same time as the person you care for, or you could ask to talk to the social worker separately. Community Services should then take account of both your assessment and the assessment of the person you care for when making decisions about the services they can provide. In My Place Emergency Respite Service & Emergency Plan: Norfolk County Council provides a free emergency relief/respite service for Carers to ensure that alternative care arrangements are made in the event of an emergency. This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, all year round. Carers (and the person they care for) do not need to be already known to Adult Social Care to participate in this scheme. To join the In My Place scheme, Carers should complete a registration form for a Carers Emergency Plan. The plan will include details of family/friends who can offer support/care to the person cared for in an emergency. The plan will be put on a secure database and given a plan number. An Emergency Card will be sent to the Carer with the Plan number and a contact telephone number for emergencies. There is no charge to join the scheme. page 4

5 If an emergency happens the Carer (or someone on her/his behalf) rings the contact number on the card so that the provider can access their Emergency Plan details and follow the instructions in the Plan. If no-one named in the plan is available for emergency cover, the emergency response team will provide relief care which will be available within 2 hours and will last up to 72 hours. The first 72 hours of home support is free. After that, support (if still required) will be charged in the same way as usual. For information, go to or call Norfolk Adult Care Customer Service Centre on (text phone ). Support for Carers in GP Surgeries: It is important that you tell your GP surgery if you are helping to look after someone so that they can register you as a Carer on your medical notes. This information helps them to ensure that you receive information about the help and support that may be available to you. Ask your GP surgery for the leaflet Does your GP surgery know you are looking after someone? to register yourself and/or the person you care for. Your GP can also be a route into Adult Social Care, counselling and other organisations. Carers Council for Norfolk: This independent body is a partnership of Carers and Carers organisations working to develop and improve services for Carers in Norfolk. For information, go to or call on or louisegooldccn@hotmail.co.uk Carers Trust: Crossroads Care and The Princess Royal Trust for Carers have merged to form the charity Carers Trust. They provide practical support where and when it is most needed, usually in the home. Home-based respite care is provided by trained care attendants who are able to give regular Carers extra time to themselves. Occasional (or more regular) breaks can be arranged to suit the individual Carer s need. For information about their local Carers centres, go to page 5

6 The Carers Agency Partnership: CAP represents key organisations in Norfolk that provide services for Carers. CAP works together with the Carers Council for Norfolk (CNN) and is a onestop shop for information for Carers in Norfolk linking all the key organisations and services. For information, go to Crossroads Care East Anglia: Crossroads Care is a network member of the Carers Trust and provides the following services in Norfolk: Carers Agency Partnership helpline, which offers information and support for Carers, also operates a Short Breaks at Short Notice Scheme. Support for Adult Carers with Groups, Holiday Support and respite care. For further information, go to (there is an online contact form). For general enquiries, call on or contact one of their offices in Norfolk: Attleborough Tel: Dereham Tel: Downham Market Tel: Great Yarmouth Tel: Horsford Tel: Carers Agency Partnership helpline: Formerly known as the Norfolk Carers Helpline, this provides a free, independent, confidential service for family Carers which can give you support and information about benefits; equipment; Carer s Assessment; how to get a break and other support. The helpline is staffed with trained and experienced workers who can provide information and support, put you in touch with specialist organisations relevant to your needs and can help by providing assistance in an emergency. For information, call the CAP Helpline on page 6

7 Norfolk Carers Support: This organisation is a network member of Carers Trust and is affiliated to Carers UK. It aims to help Carers develop a stronger and more independent voice in the community and to build up appropriate local support. They provide help for Carers to find appropriate services, providing support and advocacy throughout Norfolk. For information, go to or contact: Norfolk Carers Support Charing Cross Centre, St. John Maddermarket, NORWICH. NR2 1DN. Tel: admin@norfolkcarerssupport.org West Norfolk Carers: West Norfolk Carers is a network member of the Carers Trust and are affiliated to Carers UK. They keep in touch with Carers by issuing regular newsletters; providing information on national activity; making home visits; establishing Carers Groups and offering a local point of contact to find support quickly. For information, go to or contact them at: 20 Thoresby College, Queen Street KINGS LYNN. PE30 1HX. Tel: wncl@hotmail.co.uk The Cossey Carers Support Group: This support group (located in Costessey) provides help, support and guidance to those in a Carer s role and is run on a purely voluntary and privately funded basis. Social meetings give people the opportunity to talk through issues and concerns. Members are welcome from any area. For information, go to or contact them on or cossey.carers1@btinternet.com. page 7

8 Learning Grants for Norfolk Carers: Learning grants of up to 200 in one year (funded by Norfolk County Council) are available to fund or part-fund learning course fees for Norfolk Carers. You can apply for one of these grants if you are over 16, living in Norfolk and you have been providing unpaid help and support for a year or more, to a relative, friend, partner or child who cannot manage because of disability, illness or frailty. The length of care will be disregarded if the course relates to your caring role. The courses can be distance learning provided at a local college, adult education centre or other centre. They can be for just a half-day, a day or for several sessions, a term or a year. Courses could include: Leisure courses e.g. creative writing, art, photography, massage, distance learning. Sports and fitness - e.g. swimming, yoga, gym classes or lessons. Employment related courses - e.g. computer skills, Adult Education courses e.g. GCSEs, AS levels, A levels etc, Complementary therapies courses - e.g. acupuncture, aromatherapy Training to help you continue in your caring role - e.g. lifting and handling, massage. Condition specific training - i.e. dealing with challenging behaviour. Driving lessons. The grant is payable by cheque which is sent to the applicant and made out to the course provider. At the end of the course, the applicant will be required to give feedback to evaluate the benefit to the Carer. For further information, go to where you can download an application form to send to Age UK Norfolk. Alternatively, to find out more, or to request an application form, please contact us at Age UK Norfolk, 300 St Faith s Road, Old Catton, NORWICH. NR6 7BJ. Telephone: page 8

9 National Organisations: Various other organisations exist to help you care. Some are listed below: Alzheimer s Society: This Society offers information, education and support to Carers of those who suffer from Alzheimer s disease. For information, go to or call the Alzheimer s Society National Dementia helpline on (which is staffed by trained advisers) or contact their Central Office at: Devon House, 58 St. Katherine s Way LONDON. E1W 1LB Tel: Fax: enquiries@alzheimers.org.uk The Alzheimer s Society locality office in Norfolk is based at: Charing Cross Centre, St. John Maddermarket NORWICH Tel: Their referrals and advice line is or for information to norfolk@alzheimers.org.uk. page 9

10 Carers UK: This national voluntary charity association encourages Carers to recognise their own needs and rights. It helps to strengthen the support available for all Carers and provides information and advice for them on all matters related to caring: financial help; help with caring; caring and working; help in your area. It also campaigns on behalf of Carers to ensure that action is taken to support them and to put Carers in touch with one another through local support groups. They also provide a telephone information and advice service which is staffed by experts in Carers rights (Carers UK Advice Line or advice@carersuk.org). For further information, go to (where there is an online contact form) or contact their Head Office as follows: Carers UK 20 Great Dover Street LONDON. SE1 4LX Tel: Carers Direct NHS Choices: Provides social care support and information online and via Carers Direct on freephone including advice on choosing social care, how to fund care, Carers breaks etc. For information, go to (which includes an online Guide to Care ) or call the NHS Carers Direct helpline on which operates every day. If you have a question about caring, you can use their online enquiry form, get help by or use their online webchat service. Helpline advisers can put you in touch with specialist national or local sources of help, including social care, healthcare and self-help networks and resources. page 10

11 Mind Carer Support Services: This national mental health charity aims to identify and meet the need of individuals whose lives are affected by their role of caring for adults with severe and enduring mental health problems. Their services provide: listening, support and information; one-to-one individual support and advocacy; support to make sure a Carer s Assessment has been offered, where appropriate. For information, go to their national website at or call their national Infoline on (text 86463) or refer to your local branch as follows: Norwich Mind 50 Sale Road, NORWICH. NR7 9TP. Tel: headoffice@norwichmind.org.uk Website: Great Yarmouth & Waveney MIND Deneside, GREAT YARMOUTH. NR30 3AX. Tel: reception@gywmind.org.uk Website: page 11

12 The Stroke Association: The Stroke Association s main focus is to support people who have had a stroke and their families. They do this by providing information and community services which includes their Stroke Information Service and their Welfare Grants scheme. For further information, go to or call their national helpline on (Monday to Friday - 9a.m. to 5p.m.). East of England Stroke Forum: For details about local support, go to or contact them at: Lark House 117 Eastgate Street BURY ST. EDMUNDS. IP33 1YQ Tel: info@eastofenglandstrokeforum.org.uk page 12

13 Benefits for Carers: As a Carer, you may be able to obtain several benefits. There are 3 main types: Earnings replacement benefits (if you re not in paid employment) Compensation for extra costs (e.g. relating to disability) Top-up for low income (benefits and tax credits) You may be entitled to only one benefit or a combination of all 3 types. You can use the online benefits adviser to check your entitlement, go to If you are not sure if you can claim benefits for caring, get advice from your local branch of Age UK/Age Concern or Carers organisations. Carer s Allowance is the main welfare benefit and is one of the earnings replacement benefits. It is a benefit for people who can t work full-time because they are caring for a severely disabled person. You may be able to get CA if you care for someone for at least 35 hours a week and they are getting some other forms of benefits. For a claim form, call on (textphone ) or request by post to Carer s Allowance Unit, Palatine House, Lancaster Road, PRESTON. PR1 1HB. Carer s Credit is a National Insurance credit which helps to protect Carer s State Pension to ensure that there are no gaps in their NI record. If you care for a total of 20 hours a week, you may be entitled to Carer s Credit. For information, go to or call on (textphone ) or request by post to the Carer s Allowance Unit (address as above). Full information is included in a guide DWP020 Carer s Allowance & Carer s Credit at page 13

14 Help with Health Costs: For more information about benefits and what you (or the person you care for) may be able to claim, contact Age UK Norfolk. Age UK Factsheet 61 Help with Health Costs : Most NHS services are free but there may be charges for prescriptions, dental treatment, sight tests, glasses and contact lenses, wigs and fabric support. This fact sheet covers NHS services that are free to everyone of over 60 and that are free if you receive Pension Credit Guarantee Credit. It also explains the NHS Low Income Scheme under which you may be eligible for full or partial help with health costs and, in some circumstances, travel to receive NHS treatment. Dept. of Health: The DH leaflet HC12 A quick guide to help with health costs gives a brief summary of possible help with extra costs. For a copy, call NHS Business Authority on page 14

15 Useful publications: Age UK: All Age UK fact sheets are listed on our website Those which may be of special interest to Carers include: FS No. 6 FS No. 55 Norfolk FS 2 Finding help at home Carer s Allowance Taking a break from caring Age UK also produces a range of Information Guides - those which may be of interest to Carers include: IG13 IG43 Advice for Carers More money in your pocket Alzheimer s Society Publications: The Alzheimer s Society has a series of booklets and fact sheets which give a variety of information and tips. For information, go to (where you can use their live online advice service for dementia) or call their Helpline on Carers UK: Carers UK produce a range of fact sheets and booklets for Carers and those working with Carers. You do not have to be a member of this Association to order their books and leaflets. Some publications are free but others are charged for. They may be downloaded or ordered online at by advice@carersuk.org or call their advice line on page 15

16 The Carers Agency Partnership (CAP): A Norfolk Carers Handbook Are you looking after someone? is an essential information guide about services for Carers in Norfolk. This handbook, and more, is available at or, for a free copy call CAP s helpline on CAP Helpline: The Norfolk Carer is a free magazine which includes features and information for anyone looking after someone else. To download the latest edition, go to (publications) or to receive a copy by post, call CAP s helpline on Macmillan Cancer Support: Macmillan has a range of free, expert and easy to understand resources to support Carers. Their booklets have been written with the help of Carers e.g. Be there for someone facing cancer. To download booklets or to order a copy, go to Stroke Association: The Stroke Association s Information Service produces a range of publications including the fact sheet A Carer s Guide. To download, go to or to purchase a copy, call the Stroke Helpline on page 16

17 Other information: This government website provides information and links to organisations providing services for Carers including NHS Choices, where you can find out how to get a Carer s assessment and about your legal rights as a Carer. Chill4usCarers: This Norfolk charity is based in Norwich for family unpaid Carers and past Carers and their website is a forum specifically for Carers offering support and concern for one another. All users are asked to register to enable access to hosted chats and topical information related to caring. Their members have experience in all aspects of care needs. To contact Chill4usCarers, call on , support@chill4us.com or write to them at Reepham Road, Hellesdon, NORWICH. NR6 5PR. Cinema Exhibitors Association (CEA) Card: This is a national card for disabled people that entitles the holder to one free ticket for a person accompanying them to a UK cinema. To apply for a card, a person must be in receipt of DLA, AA, PIP or AFIP or be a registered blind person. The card is valid for one year from the issue date and a processing fee of 6 (inc postage) is chargeable per card. Application forms are available from participating cinemas or you can apply online at or call CEA on (minicom ) or write to CEA Card, PO BOX 212, Waterlooville. PO7 6ZN. NELCSU Anglia - HERON: Heron is a local NHS website which provides information about self-help support groups, statutory and voluntary agencies. For information, go to Their searchable database includes listings for Carers groups in the area. page 17

18 Age UK Norfolk has been in existence since 1947 The mission of the charity is To promote the well being of all older people throughout the County of Norfolk and to help make later life a fulfilling and enjoyable experience. Age UK Norfolk Head Office 300 St Faith s Road Old Catton Norwich NR6 7BJ Telephone: page 18