Support for Carers

According to the last census there are 13,147 carers in East Lothian, but it is very likely there are considerably more.

A carer is “anyone who provides care, unpaid, for a friend or family member, who due to illness, disability, or a mental health problem cannot cope without their support.” Their role ensures that cared for people can continue to remain as independent as possible, and as such, carers are often the most important person in the lives of the people who are given support.  Carers are therefore often family members, friends and neighbours first and caring emerges and evolves as part of this existing relationship.

Who are our carers?

Every carer will be different, carers come from all cultures and backgrounds, can be any age and may have support needs of their own.  Caring develops out of our natural relationships, carers may be a husband, parent, daughter, friend or have any other relationship with someone who cannot manage without their support. Carers don’t have to care for a certain number of hours per week or live with the person they care for, each carer will have their own specific set of circumstances.

Testing once again to make sure the image works.

Why identify as a carer?

Many people who care for a friend or family member don’t identify as carers, they may see themselves as a partner, parent or friend, just doing what they can or what is expected to support someone close to them.

People don’t need to see or call themselves carers, they just need to recognise that they have extra responsibilities because of what they do for someone else, most people will be carers at some point in their lives.  Identifying as a carer can help a person access help and support to make their caring role more sustainable and to live a life of their own alongside caring.

Individuals report that being a carer can have many positive rewards including strengthening the relationship between the carer and the person they care for and a sense of satisfaction in contributing to the life of this person.  However it must be recognised that caring, especially when the role is more intensive, can have a huge impact on the life of the carer, their general health and well-being, their finances, their relationships and caring can increase social isolation.


 

Find out more about ELHSCP

 facebook logo   twitter logo    instagram logo    YouTube logo