Looking after yourself

Caring is complicated and can throw up many emotions and challenges. Everybody’s journey as a carer is different, we can help with things like:

• Dealing with a diagnosis – Receiving a diagnosis can be scary and confusing, whether it’s related to mental health, a life-limiting condition or other conditions. We recognise that everyone’s situation is distinct, and we offer tailored support and guidance. We have dedicated programmes to support carers who are caring for someone with a range of health needs.

• Your rights as a carer: You may not realise but as a carer you have certain rights. From rights to a carer’s assessment, through to rights as a working carers, you could be missing out on support which might transform your daily living.

We’d never tell anybody how they ought to feel.  But we wanted to share what some carers have said to us.

‘The forms can be 30 pages long . . ‘ J
‘I am almost a parent to Mum . . ‘ F
‘You have to have courage for two’ F

Maybe some of these quotes ring a bell.  If they do or even if they don’t we’re here for you.

Our ‘Carers in Conversation’ series also has some real-life experiences of caring and which might reflect how you’re feeling.

And our Carers Calendar shows all our regular events and carers groups.  These are where you can meet other carers in a safe space to share how you are feeling.  You are not alone.

We cannot say it enough: if you are not looking after yourself, it is harder to look after someone else.

Taking a moment to say something nice to yourself; making a hot drink and dipping into one of our free regular meetups (either in person or online + link to carers calendar) or just keeping an eye on yourself for carer’s burnout – these are all ways to give yourself the sort of care you are giving to your cared for person.

One of the things we offer is a Carers Contact Assessment.  It’s a chat with one of our teams to help to understand the impact of the caring role on your life.  We’ll make sure you get the support your need., and we will check in at two months to see how you are getting on with your caring role. You can call us [link to ‘talk to us’] at any time if anything changes.

We have specific wellbeing activities to help you when it all feels a bit too much. For instance, there’s our wellbeing walks: nothing ambitious, more of a stroll, a chat and a coffee. Not forgetting our Crafternoons: a highlight for us was seeing a volunteer and a carer having a whale of a time trying to work out how to put a mosaic top on a table.

Some carers find it difficult to get hold of the help they need once their cared for has received a diagnosis. The Carers Centre has professionals who can help you if you’re caring for someone:

• with a mental health condition. Our Changes Ahead team is here for you, offering information, one-to-one support, training, peer support and help with wellbeing.
• nearing the end of their life. We have a dedicated Life-Limiting Conditions team to support you at this very challenging time.
• living with dementia. We, together with the Memory Assessment Service, can help. Just ring 01273 746 222 to find out more.
• Is your cared for in the Royal Sussex County Hospital?  If they are, we have a dedicated team working there.
• Are you caring for someone with learning disabilities and or autism?  We offer regular support group meet-ups.
• Just ring 01273 746 222 to find out more.