Tel: 01453 886868
Cotswold Care Hospice
Burleigh Lane
Minchinhampton
Gloucestershire
GL5 2PQ
Support for carers
The needs of carers are often overlooked, but are very real. Helping someone who is ill can be emotionally and physically exhausting.
Who is a carer?
Carers are wives, husbands, sons, daughters, grandparents, friends, neighbours - it can be any one of us who looks after someone who has a life-limiting illness. You might not think of yourself as a carer, you might consider yourself as just looking after someone close to you; you ARE a carer.
The physical, emotional and psychological needs of carers can all too easily be overlooked. At Cotswold Care Hospice, we include the carers and family of a patient in the heart of our thinking – and try to ensure that as well as supporting the patient, we also support those who support the patient.
This can be with practical things – such as helping you to sort out travel insurance or pointing you in the direction of where you can get financial support. It can be emotional support – from one of our trained counsellors, helping people to cope through what is a difficult time. It can be spiritual help, from one of our chaplains – a listening ear and some spiritual advice.
Looking after yourself is important
However we help, we try to ensure that the needs of the carer are not overlooked – right from our first contact, and continuing long after a loved one dies.
All of links on this page contain a wealth of information that may be relevant to you as a carer. Please take a look at them and let us help you find the help you need.
Benefits and support
These are some of the main benefits affecting carers – but this is not a complete list and the benefits system is complex.
Why you might need support
When you care for someone with a life-limiting illness it is not uncommon for you to experience distress and anxiety.
Other links for carers
For more information about organisations who support and help carers click here.
How local authorities can help
Local authorities can help with advice, assessments, applying for a blue badge and benefits.
Bereavement support
Cotswold Care Hospice supports people who are finding it difficult coming to terms with losing a loved one.