Carers - looking after your own health

Caring can be physically and emotionally exhausting. As a result, many carers suffer a physical injury or need treatment for stress-related problems.

Some studies show that 52% of carers need treatment for stress-related problems and 51% of carers have a physical injury as a result of caring.

Many carers have to give up work and caring because of the effect caring has on their own health. However, with the right information and support, many of the health problems affecting carers are preventable.

Carers should be able to:

• get enough sleep and rest
• get regular and planned breaks from caring
• have regular nutritious meals
• have time for themselves
• have social contact with others outside the caring situation
• get enough information about services that could help
• feel free from financial worry because they have access to financial information on benefits or debt
• receive advice and training on aspects of caring.

How to look after yourself:

• make sure your GP knows you are a carer and the effect this is having on your health
• ask Social Services for a carer’s assessment to find out if you can take breaks from caring, receive services to support you with caring or get advice on health awareness courses, training to help you care and other support
• contact Camden Carers Centre and ask about courses in health awareness, healthy eating, relaxation, counselling, therapies, T’ai Chi etc.
• get financial advice on debt or welfare benefits
• find out about training courses that can help you whilst you are a carer

If you feel that your health is being badly affected by caring, please make sure that you discuss this with your GP. Your GP or you, as a carer, can ask Social Services to assess you for support to help you continue to provide care. 

In some circumstances, you may no longer feel able to care for the person you normally care for. Contact Social Services and explain the situation. If you need support to do this, please contact one of the organisations for carers in Camden.