There are lots of organisations offering many different services to help you if you are caring for someone.
Even if you have support from healthcare professionals, don’t be afraid to ask for help from friends and relatives as they may want to help you too.
If you need social services such as prepared meals delivered to your home or assistance with shopping, the District Nurse can contact social services on your behalf. Social services will assess your needs and those of the person you are caring for and suggest services to help you. Services will vary according to the local authority you live in.
Carers’ organisations offer a range of services for people who are caring for someone at home, including care in the home.
Support groups enable people who are going through difficult situations to meet others in a similar situation for mutual support and to share personal experiences. There are many groups to choose from - formed to support people with specific needs or illnesses, as well as the people caring for them. Some groups will visit your home if you are finding it difficult to leave the house.
To find a local support group:
Our support for you section has lots more information about groups and organisations that can help you and the person you are caring for.
If you are in contact with a Marie Curie Hospice or another local hospice ask if they have counsellor or social worker who can help you, or the person you are caring for. Our hospices care for people with cancer and other life-limiting illnesses.
The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy can provide information on counsellors, including those with specialist training in helping people with cancer. Contact them on 01455 883300.
If you have concerns or questions about living with cancer Macmillan Cancer Support can provide you and the person you are caring for with emotional and practical help, and put you in touch with other sources of support. Phone: 0808 808 2020 (Monday to Friday 9am – 9pm).
Our support for you section has more information about counselling services to help you and the person you are caring for.
As a carer you will probably come into contact with a number of healthcare professionals. We’ve outlined a few to give you a clearer picture of who they are, what they do and some of the care options available.
Doctors are bound by a code of conduct and will only discuss a person’s condition with that person unless they are told otherwise. If the person you are caring for would like their doctor to share information with you or another family member please make sure they let the doctor know.
The primary health care team is a team of healthcare professionals which includes doctors, practice nurses, District Nurses and the practice manager. The team is usually based in a health centre or surgery. The team is normally the first point of contact a person has with the health service. The GP liaises with the District Nurse, who is part of the team, regarding the care of the person you are caring for if they are being cared for at home. The GP is in charge of their medical care which includes prescribing medications.
Specialist palliative care teams are made up of different professionals who are experts in palliative care. They work with your GP and primary healthcare team by providing specialist advice and treatment so you receive the care that you need in the place of your choice.
Part of the primary healthcare team, the District Nurse organises and coordinates care in the home. They can arrange for services to be provided for you and the person you are caring for. Services vary from area to area but may include Marie Curie Nurses, Macmillan Nurses, or social services such as arranging for prepared meals to be delivered to the home.
The District Nurse can also provide information about local services such as carers’ groups, information about local hospices, drop-in centres, organisations offering grants, complementary therapists, interpreting services and other services and benefits.
Marie Curie Cancer Care provides high quality nursing, totally free, to give people with terminal cancer and other illnesses the choice of dying at home, supported by their families. Marie Curie Nurses generally spend several hours at a time in a person’s home providing nursing care and emotional support, often overnight.
Hospices provide expert care for people with life-limiting illnesses and free support for carers and family members. Many offer respite care allowing the person who is ill to stay at the hospice for a short period while the person caring for them takes a break. Hospices also offer day services, which focus on relieving a person’s symptoms, helping them remain independent for as long as possible. In addition, some hospices have specialist nurses who can provide advice or support for people at home.
There may be a Marie Curie Hospice or other hospice near you. If you feel the person you are caring for would benefit from hospice services please discuss this with them and their GP or District Nurse. If appropriate, the GP or District Nurse will then make the referral.
If the person you are caring for is a patient at a Marie Curie Hospice you can get information about all the family and carer services for carers and families from the hospice (look under services) or ask a member of staff.
You may wish to contact a local minister or religious leader for spiritual support. They are usually happy to help, even if you were not previously actively involved with your local place of worship.
If you are in contact with a Marie Curie Hospice or other local hospice, the chaplain or a person in an equivalent role can offer advice and recommend a local person to contact.
Marie Curie Nurses are trained in supporting families of all faiths in respect of their spiritual needs, as well as families who do not have religious or spiritual beliefs.
Watch our video tutorials designed to help carers
Key issues to consider if you have a life-limiting illness
Advice to help people approaching the end of their lives
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