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Carers Support Service
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carers' resource information and support

Coronavirus Update

We are starting to resume our normal support services – please keep your eyes peeled in our future newsletters for any updates.

We are still contactable by telephone and email. We are here to help! Find our contact details here.

Our friends at Carers UK have put together some useful information on Coronavirus that is relevant for carers and the people they care for. You can find the information online here.

The GOV.UK website also has up to date information and advice: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

If you are worried that you or someone you look after may be at risk, NHS 111 can offer guidance, and have set up an online coronavirus helpline. You should call 111 if you have symptoms which become severe, and let them know you are a carer.

FAQs

What is the current Government guidance for Coronavirus? 

You can find out about the current guidance for living safely with Coronavirus on the GOV.UK website here. 

What should I do if I have or might have coronavirus (COVID-19)? 

The NHS website has information about what to do if you have tested positive or have symptoms of COVID-19, or have been close contact with someone with COVID-19. Read this information online here.

Do I have to wear a face covering? 

You no longer need to wear a face covering in most environements, but there are times when you may want to consider wearing one. The GOV.UK website has information about this online here.

Can I still look after the person I care for? 

Carers UK have some helpful guidance for carers on their website here. There is up to date guidance available online for those who were previously considered to be clinically extremely vulnerable from COVID-19 here.

If you start to display any of the symptoms of coronavirus, you should consider suspending your face-to-face visits. If this means that the person you care for will be even more vulnerable, for example because they will no longer receive the essential supplies that you bring them, there is support available. 

BCP Council has also set up a helpline to support vulnerable people. They are open from 9am - 5pm, Monday - Friday. Tel: 0300 1237052. 

BCP Council and local community groups have joined forces to launch a Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole ‘Together We Can’ community response to help and support vulnerable people during the coronavirus outbreak. Find out more about how you can help or access support here.

The Leonardo Trust has set up a helpline specifically for carers across Dorset, and also offer Masks 4 Carers. Find out more here.

What happens if I cannot care for the person I support?

Make a plan. Knowing that you have a plan in place can help ease your worries if you are not able to care for those you look after at any point in the future.

For many, this will involve contacting a family member, friend or neighbour who is willing to cover in an emergency. For others, it may be noting down the support the person you care for needs, so that people (such as Adult Social Care) can act in their best interests if they need to. 

You can download a template plan here. This may guide you in thinking what information might be helpful to support services who may need to assess your cared for person. We can also pop a form in the post to you.

You may want to consider having a carer’s assessment to establish if you are eligible to join the ‘Carers in Crisis’ emergency back-up scheme. If you would like more information about Carers in Crisis, please get in touch.

Who do I contact if myself or the person I care for need support from Adult Social Care? 

If you require support from Adult Social Care, you can contact them on the following contact telephone number: 

  • Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole - Adult Social Care Contact Centre - 01202 128787

If you require urgent support, out of hours, please contact: 

  • Emergency Duty Service - 0300 123 9895 (Monday - Thursday, 5.15pm - 8.30am and Weekends, Friday 4.45pm - Monday 8.30am)

Will I receive a Coronavirus vaccintion? 

Seasonal boosters are available, and everyone is encouraged to continue to take up the offer of the booster, when possible, to provide ongoing protection and to prevent the most susceptible becoming severely ill and being hospitalised from COVID-19.

The following groups, including carers, are being offered vaccinations this autumn:

  • older care home residents and care home staff
  • frontline health and social care workers
  • all adults aged 50 plus
  • persons from 5 to 49 in a clinically at risk group
  • persons from 16 to 49 who share a household with people who have immunosuppression
  • carers (from 16-49).

The Department for Health and Social Care have produced a video with Carers UK about why your vaccination is so important and how to get yours.

You can book your booster vaccination by:

If you need to travel to attend your vaccination, there is advice on how to do so available from Dorset Clinical Commissioning group here.

How do I prove that I am a carer if I am asked?

We recommend carrying your Carers Card, along with a form of photo ID. Your carers card does have an expiry date on the back, so please do check this, and get in touch if you need a new card.

If you do not have a carers card, you can register with us online. Once we have received your online form, we will pop a welcome pack with your card to you in the post. Join online here.

Where can I find out about how to access food or meal deliveries? 

The MyLifeMyCare website has a list of providers who offer food and meal deliveries.

Is there a way I get my prescription delivered to me at home? 

The MyLifeMyCare website as a list of pharmacies which offer a delivery service. 

Are there any social opportunities for carers to take part in?

We are hosting both online and face-to-face social events.

Online events are being hosted using the video-conferencing software ‘Zoom’, and the person you care for is welcome to join in too. 

Find out more about our events on our events page

We have a closed Facebook group, called CRISP Carers Forum. You need to be a member of the CRISP Carers Information Service to join the forum - making it a safe space to talk to other carers locally online. We have put together a short guide to using social media to help you make use of this. Find the guide here. 

There is also information about support available to carers, including a list of support groups, on our website here

Caring for someone with Dementia? 

Living with dementia at any time brings everyday challenges for the person and those around them. Coronavirus may be making daily life much harder. 

The Alzheimers Society have put together some useful information which might help

ENDEMIC (dEmeNtia and DEcision MakIng during COVID-19) research team at UCL, have developed a guide about care for their loved ones, supported by Marie Curie, Alzheimer's Society and Dementia UK.  You can find the guide online here.

How can I look after my mental health? 

The NHS Better Health website has some useful information and advice for looking after your mental health.

The Dorset Recovery Education Centre's podcast talks about what challenges caring can bring, and some tips for self-care, looking after ourself and other topics surrounding Mental Health.

BCP Council's Art Programme Manager and artist Anna Shiels is running online Creative Wellbeing sessions weekly.  

If you require urgent mental health support, please phone the Dorset Healthcare 24/7 Connections Phoneline. They will signpost you to the right service for the support you need. Tel: 0300 123 5440

 

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