If you care for or look after a member of your family or neighbour because they are unable to perform daily tasks for themselves and if the caring role occupies many hours a week or makes a significant change to your lifestyle due to their disability or age, then you are a carer.
If you are an unpaid carer of someone aged 18 years or over, you are entitled to your own carer’s assessment. You can have an assessment even if the person you care for isn’t receiving any care and support. You can have a separate carer’s assessment carried out by Lancashire Carers service (N-Compass) which is a service that specialises in supporting carers or, providing they agree, a combined assessment with the person you care for, you can find more information here: https://www.lancashire.gov.uk/health-and-social-care/adult-social-care/caring-for-someone/
If you identify yourself as a carer or a young carer our staff will try to offer you:
- Telephone appointments if caring responsibilities mean you cannot leave the person you care for at home or bring them with you to the surgery
- Flexibility on appointment times where possible
- Information about local carers support services which may be able to arrange transport and/or sitting services to help you leave home to attend surgery
- Online ordering for prescriptions and appointment booking
- An annual flu jab
- Information about your right to a Carer’s Assessment of your own needs as a carer
Other Support Available
The Lancashire Carer’s Service (N-Compass) provide information, advice and a wide range of specialist support designed to help Carers in their caring role and offer help and advice to support your own health and wellbeing. They have regular magazines providing information on local groups, activities, and courses. There is access to CHAT (Carers Help and Talk) 24/7 and they hold a Coffee and Chat at the Print Rooms’ Café in the Storey, Lancaster. Contact: 0345 688 7113 or email: enquires@lancscarers.co.uk
Age UK can be contacted on 0300 303 1234 or email advice@ageuklancs.org.uk They have a home help service, information and support service and offer telephone friendship, social activities, and day centres.
Lancaster City Council offer a Home Improvement Agency Service to help elderly and disabled residence to remain safe and independent in their own homes. They also provide a free, two-hour, Handyperson Scheme for anyone over the age of 65. Contact 01524 582257, lancaster.gov.uk/home improvement.
Carers UK provides guidance and support for all unpaid carers. Contact: carersuk.org/help-and-advice
https://www.gov.uk/carers-allowance provides information about Carer’s allowance.
https://www.gov.uk/attendance-allowance provides information about Attendance allowance.
Lancaster District Directory: local support for carers: https://directory.lancastercvs.org.uk/
Lancaster Care Coordination and Social Prescribing Team can visit you at your home or place of choice to offer advice and guidance on any wellbeing concerns and what’s important to you. Contact 01524 518669
Information for young carers (Under 18’s)
Barnardo’s supports carers under the age of 18, for more information go to their website: https://www.barnardos.org.uk/get-support/services/lancashire-young-carers
Please complete the form below.