What a working unpaid carer is
What a working unpaid carer is, the impact of caring for someone, self-care and support for carers.
A working carer is an employee who provides unpaid care for someone who is frail, seriously ill or has a disability. This can include:
- emotional support
- practical support, such as managing hospital appointments
- help with household tasks or shopping
- managing finances
- personal care
- medical care.
You may not realise that you are a carer. You could be:
- sharing caring responsibilities for someone with your partner or other family members
- travelling to provide care for a family member before or after work, or at weekends
- caring for someone in your own home.
The impact of caring for someone
Caring can have an impact on someone's life such as:
- getting a night's sleep
- staying healthy
- maintaining relationships with friends and family
- holding down your job
- having a life outside of caring.
Carers often face lots of challenges, including:
- stress and anxiety, emotional ups and downs, or feeling isolated
- physical strain
- worrying about taking time off
- lack of information or support, or knowing where support is available
- not having anyone to turn to at work
- performance issues at work or turning down promotional opportunities
- not having a break from caring
- not being able to juggle work and caring anymore
- the stigma of being a carer.
Self-care
The Carers Trust website has health and wellbeing advice for you and the person you care for about:
- equipment, adaptations and telecare
- pharmacies and medicines
- relationships with your partner, family and friends
- tackling loneliness
- emergencies
- guidance on coronavirus
- taking care of yourself
- when caring ends.
You can also find out about
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