Support for Family Carers
Supporting a family member or friend can be rewarding, but it can also take a great deal of time, energy and emotional resilience.
Many people provide care without thinking of themselves as a “carer”. You may simply see yourself as a partner, parent, child, relative or friend helping someone close to you.
Whatever your circumstances, it is important to recognise when additional support could help both you and the person you care for.
Recognising the impact of caring
Caring responsibilities can gradually increase over time.
You may be helping with:
- personal care or daily routines
- shopping, meals or household tasks
- appointments and transport
- medication routines
- companionship and reassurance
- paperwork and practical arrangements
- supervision or support throughout the day
- overnight needs
Balancing these responsibilities with work, family life and your own health can become difficult.
Needing help does not mean you have failed. It may help make the arrangement more sustainable.
Six ways additional support may help
Signs you may need more support
It may be time to explore additional help if you are:
- regularly feeling exhausted or overwhelmed
- struggling to manage work or other responsibilities
- losing sleep
- unable to take breaks or attend appointments
- becoming worried about leaving the person alone
- finding that their needs are increasing
- feeling isolated
- concerned that the current arrangement cannot continue
You do not need to wait until things reach crisis point before asking for support.
What support could look like
Support does not have to mean a major change.
Depending on the person’s needs and the PA chosen, it might involve:
a few hours of companionship each week
someone being present while you go out
support with shopping or meal preparation
help with personal care
accompanying the person to appointments or activities
regular respite sessions
occasional evenings or weekends
short-term help following illness or hospital treatment
The exact support, hours and rate are agreed directly with the Personal Assistant.
Looking after your own wellbeing
Your health and wellbeing matter too.
Where possible, try to:
- take regular breaks
- speak openly with family members
- accept practical help
- keep medical and personal appointments
- maintain interests and social contact
- seek advice before the situation becomes unmanageable
You may also be entitled to a carer’s assessment through your local authority. This can help identify support that may be available to you.
Keeping the person involved
Wherever possible, the person receiving support should remain central to decisions.
They should have the opportunity to:
- explain what help they would like
- choose who supports them
- discuss their routines and preferences
- meet or speak with the PA before deciding
- agree how support will be provided
Introducing additional help is often easier when it is presented as a way to increase choice, companionship and independence rather than simply replacing family support.
How Hub Care Support can help
Hub Care Support introduces people looking for support to independent, QCAS-approved Personal Assistants.
Your local Hub can explain how the introduction process works and share profiles of PAs whose availability and experience may suit the enquiry.
You and the person receiving support remain in control of who you choose.
Exploring support at home Us
Use our postcode search to find your nearest Hub Care Support branch.
Your local Hub can explain how introductions work and help you explore whether support from an independent Personal Assistant may be suitable.