Millions of people are carers, most are unpaid relatives. And local charities that try to offer help are often overwhelmed. If a relative or friend is disabled or ill, the burden on the carers can sometimes be almost unbearable. But they continue out of love. Also read of good nutritous food for seniors and gentle exercises for those you care for.
There is a myth that people on benefits sit at home all day watching satellite TVs, eating takeaways and drinking beer. In truth, most people on benefits are living on the breadline, often choosing between eating and heating. So before anything else (although money is not the most important thing in the world), let’s figure out how to ensure carers and their patients are getting everything they are entitled to.
Turn 2 Us has a simple online benefits check to ensure you’re getting all your recipient and carer benefits (you’ll have to ask for up to 3 months backpay, it’s not given automatically). Grandparents Plus offers help for ‘kinship carers’.
More Help for Carers
- Become a volunteer dog walker, to walk dogs and care for pets (including vet visits and hospital fostering).
- Befrienders or The Silver Line has volunteers to chat on the phone (the latter has conference calls, so recipients can chat to each other).
- Fall Prevention and Stay On Your Own Two Feet are two good books by physical therapists, to eliminate home tripping hazards.
- Helping Hands at Home offers nationwide help for personal care, household chores, running errands and caring for pets.
- Earth Wise Girls sell washable bamboo incontinence pads (Natracare makes organic disposable pads).
- Uribag (free on NHS) is a portable latex canister to pee in when out, just take it home to wash.
