Medical Matters: The unsung heroes providing vital care

The most recent census in 2021 found that there are 5.8 million people in the UK caring for family members or friends, with 1.7 millions of these providing 50 or more hours of care per week.

Simply put, carers are unsung heroes offering vital care and support to someone who could not manage without them.

A huge number of these people do not realise that they are carers or haven’t registered with their local carer support organisation and are going this alone.

So, what makes a carer? Are you a friend, relative or neighbour of someone who can’t manage alone without you? Are they unable to manage because they have a physical, hearing, visual or learning disability; a drug, alcohol or mental health issue; are frail or vulnerable; or have a long-term condition/illness, including cancer? Do you support them unpaid and not as a voluntary job (getting benefits is fine)?

If so, you are an unpaid carer, and there are services for you, no matter what age you are.

There is a wide range of information, advice and support from Torbay Carers (or Devon Carers if you care for someone in the Devon County Council area). Join Torbay Carers to get:

• A Torbay Carer Passport card which

• gives you free parking and other support at local hospitals when you are visiting/supporting the person that you care for;

• offers you discounts at local businesses (including a free MyBay card)

• works as an emergency card. If you have an emergency, we will follow your backup plan.

• can act as proof that you are a carer, e.g., for employment support.

• Signposts for Carers’ quarterly newsletter

• Carers’ education courses (usually free). These include training to help with caring, such as first aid or legal workshops. Also courses such as crafts or exercise, which give a break from caring

Last week was Carer’s Week – an annual campaign recognising the contribution carers make to families and communities throughout the UK. This year’s theme was ‘Caring About Equality’, calling for an equal society where carers are truly valued, recognised and supported.

Carers are at greater risk of poor mental and physical health, social isolation, financial hardship, and poverty. Far too often, carers miss out on opportunities in their education, careers, or personal lives, just because of their caring role. Carer Support tries to mitigate these inequalities.

There are Carer Support Workers at each doctor’s surgery, who offer Health and Wellbeing Checks and can link carers to any support needed. This includes:

• 1-1 and group support

• Emotional support

• A break from caring

• Support in hospital

• Support juggling working with caring

• Cost of living and benefits support

• Help with planning ahead for deterioration in mental or physical health, such as Adult Social Care, Powers of Attorney, Advance Decisions / Directives (living wills) and Treatment Escalation Plans.

• Specialist support re mental health, dementia, learning disability, autism, addictions, and veterans

Carers Week is also a chance to say thank you to carers. In conjunction with local attractions, Torbay Carers Services offered a huge number of activities, including free tours of Kents Cavern, Torre Abbey and Lyceum Theatre; discounts at Bygones, Livermead House and Inn on the Quay; cream teas and coffee mornings; courses; a Dartmouth Steam train trip; museum entry; free entry to a number of National Trust properties and even the chance to go mackerel fishing!

It’s not just during Carers Week where there are events, discounts or support. So if you are a carer yourself or know someone who might be, please contact Torbay Carers at 01803 666620, signposts@nhs.net, orwww.tsdft.uk/carers to find out more.

Together let’s strive for an equal society, where carers can fulfil their own aspirations and lead healthy and financially secure lives.