Looking after yourself as a carer - Print version

Looking after your own health and wellbeing

As a carer, it is important that you take care of yourself – this can be very positive both physically and emotionally for yourself and the person you are taking care of.

However, all too often carers can be so preoccupied with the health and well-being of the person they are caring for, that their own needs take a back seat.

This section is designed to help you think about ways you can look after your own health and wellbeing and where you can get support if you need it.

Guides to looking after yourself

Carers UK

Carers UK Looking after your health [https://www.carersuk.org/help-and-advice/your-health-and-wellbeing/looking-after-yourself/] provides very practical and honest advice about how you can stay well and get the help you need.

Carers Trust National

Carers Trust have some helpful online guidance to help you think about your own health; Taking Care of Yourself. [https://carers.org/taking-care-of-yourself/taking-care-of-yourself]

Healthy Lifestyles Service - Best You - Coventry Carers

The Healthy Lifestyles Service [https://www.hlscoventry.org/our-services/best-you-app/] have created their own online Carers Resource [https://www.best-you.org/covcarers] to support carers with their own health and making positive lifestyle choices. The service includes information on smoking cessation, eating healthy and feeling well.

It’s good to talk!

Talking things through with someone who understands your situation can really help.  Caring can often feel isolating but there are people on hand to talk to: 

• Carers Trust Heart of England has specialist information, advice and support workers you can talk to. They also run support groups which you can join. A Carers Assessment is always a good way to talk your situation through.  
• Other organisations such as the Coventry Alzheimer’s Society also have advisors and groups that can provide emotional support.  

See our Information, Advice and Support for Carers pages [http://www.coventry.gov.uk/info/76/carers_support/2648/information_advice_and_support_for_carers_including_advocacy] for more information.

Staying fit and well - Go CV+

GO CV Plus+

If you are a carer registered with the Carers Trust Heart of England you can get a Go CV+ Card [https://go-cv.co.uk/go-cv-plus/], which gives you additional benefits. The person you care for might also be eligible if they meet the qualifying criteria. You can contact the Carers Trust to register if you are not already registered on 024 7663 2972. The Go CV card gives you benefits across a range of leisure, recreational and adult education services. The Go CV+ Card gives you additional discounts.

Healthy Lifestyles - Best You - Coventry Carers

Visit our Health and Wellbeing [http://www.coventry.gov.uk/info/190/health_and_wellbeing] section to find out lots of information about what’s available to people in Coventry to help them stay fit and well.

Let your GP know you are a carer

GP's offer free health checks and flu jabs for carers. Ask at your local surgery for more information.

If your GP knows you are a carer he/she can provide you with the right support. The surgery may be able to make reasonable adjustments to help you fit in appointments around your caring responsibilities. Your GP will also be able to look out for early signs that your caring role may be affecting your health.

Carers Trust Heart of England [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/info/76/carers_support/2648/information_advice_and_support_for_carers_including_advocacy/2] also run clinics at some doctors surgeries throughout the city making it easier for you get further information, advice and support around your caring role. They have details of their clinics on their website [https://www.carerstrusthofe.org.uk/groups-and-activities/] which is regularly updated.

Emotional wellbeing and managing stress

Caring for someone can have a huge emotional impact and sometimes it can be hard to recognise the impact caring can have over time. The last few years have been particularly difficult for people looking after someone, as we've seen huge changes occur across Health and Social Care and within our own lives and we may still be fearful of what the future holds.

In Coventry we've made a commitment to making sure that carers have access to the right support when they need it, often it can simply help to talk to someone. Sometimes it's helpful to be part of a support group or it may be the need for more specialist support such as counselling. If you are worried about your overall wellbeing please contact Carers Trust Heart of England [https://www.carerstrusthofe.org.uk/what-we-do/], who will be able to support you to access the right support for your situation.

• Tel: 024 7663 2972 (option 1)
• Email: contactus@carerstrusthofe.org.uk [mailto:contactus@carerstrusthofe.org.uk]