Practical support

As well as offering emotional support to the person you’re caring for, you need to consider the day-to-day practical support that could make a big difference to you both.

Don’t think you have to do this alone. You are both entitled by law to a health and social care assessment with the social services department of your local council. For you this is called a carer’s assessment and it’s your opportunity to tell social services about the things that could make caring easier for you.

The assessment is free, but don’t wait to be offered it – contact your local council and ask. It will be carried out by a specialist (often an occupational therapist) who will look at your needs and discuss them with you.

What might these needs include?

Equipment

There is a huge range of equipment and adaptations that can help people with arthritis stay more independent, and make your life easier as a result:

• specially-designed equipment such as a raised toilet seat
• standard items which are available everywhere but which take the effort out of everyday tasks – such as electric tin openers
• adapted equipment, such as rubber knob turners
• adapted environments – for example, electric sockets placed at waist height

Physical tasks

Physical tasks, like lifting and moving the person you care for can become a problem, especially if you are older yourself, have arthritis or other health problems. You could:

• ask your GP or occupational therapist about a hoist, grab rails beside the bed and toilet and other aids such as a motorised bath seat
• find out if your local carers’ group runs training courses on how to lift safely
• think about whether you need someone else to help you – your social services department may be able to arrange this

Emergencies

What happens if the person you care for suddenly becomes ill, or you do? If you have a health and social care assessment, you should be asked about emergencies and offered help to plan for them. Carer Emergency Schemes also exist in some parts of the country, enabling carers to put their emergency plans into action with a single phone call.