Do you act as a caregiver for an ailing parent, child, spouse, or other loved one?
If so, we recognise that you’re likely to face a host of new responsibilities, many of which are unfamiliar or intimidating.
At times, you may feel overwhelmed and alone. But despite its challenges, caregiving can also be rewarding.
There are a lot of things you can do to make the caregiving process easier and more pleasurable for both you and your loved one. These tips can help you get the support you need while caring for someone you love in way that may benefit both of you.
New to family caregiving?
Here are some helpful tips that you can follow
Learn as much as you can about your family member’s illness or disability and about how to be a caregiver. The more you know, the less anxiety you’ll feel about your new role and the more effective you’ll be.
Seek out other caregivers. It helps to know you’re not alone. It’s comforting to give and receive support from others who understand what you’re going through.
Trust your instincts. Remember, you know your family member best. Don’t ignore what doctors and specialists tell you, but listen to your gut, too.
Encourage your loved one’s independence. Caregiving does not mean doing everything for your loved one. Be open to technologies and strategies that allow your family member to be as independent as possible.
Know your limits. Be realistic about how much of your time and yourself you can give. Set clear limits, and communicate those limits to doctors, family members, and other people involved.
Coventry Carers Support
Coventry Centre offers a free and confidential information, advice and support service to meet the needs of Coventry’s family carers – people who look after partners, friends or relatives who could not manage alone due to illness, disability, old age or substance dependency.
Their service allows carers to talk through their situation with support workers who understand the needs of carers and how caring affects carers’ quality of life. We support carers from the age of 5 years.
Contact Information
Central Library
Helpline: 024 7610 1040
Building Opening Times: Monday to Friday 9:00am – 5:00pm
Helpline Times: Monday to Friday 8:30am – 4:30pm | Saturdays 10:00am – 2:00pm
Young Carers
Young carers are people aged between 5 and 18 years old who have a responsibility for looking after or helping someone else to look after a person who has a disability, a long term illness, mental health illness, or someone addicted to drugs or alcohol. That person could be a mum, dad, brother, sister, grandparent or even a close friend.
As a young carer you may help out by going shopping, cooking, cleaning, making sure the person you care for takes their medicine, talking and listening to them when they are not very happy, look after your brothers and sisters or anything else that helps out at home.
Carers Trust can help you by listening to you when you want to talk, giving you information and advice on being a young carer.
They can arrange trips and activities to give you a break from your caring responsibilities and support you through any troubles you may have in school that are due to you caring for someone.