You might not think of yourself as a carer and think what you do is just part of being a parent, spouse, friend or sibling.  But if you

• Are you helping someone with everyday household tasks like shopping, cleaning, cooking, washing or dressing
• Regularly transport someone to medical appointments
• Provide emotional or mental health support

you can be considered a carer by doing these things, and there is support available in Dorset specifically for you.

You can access the right support at the right time for you as a carer by taking TWO EASY STEPS. 

Why? Carers are at a much higher risk of becoming ill and it is important that you look after your own health and accept any treatment that you need as, ultimately, you cannot look after someone else without first looking after yourself.  If we know who our patient carers are, we can improve the services we offer to you.

If you care for someone else, please let us know so we may update our medical records.  Follow this link to complete and submit a Carer's Registration form or contact us to let us know.

Scroll down for information about Carer Support Service in Dorset and how to get in touch with them.

People who regularly look after a family member or friend can now explore resources to support them using an online tool known as Bridgit.  It's quick and easy way for carers or cared for people  to learn about health conditions, get personal advice and find local events and services.

While registering as a carer unlocks more support, a listening ear, offers and discounts, we recognise people can be worried about requesting outside help. With Bridgit, people can discover the resources first, then sign up for more support if they choose to, and this can include an online carer’s assessment.

Designed by carers and care experts, Bridgit resources are tailored to the busy and often stressful lives of people who regularly care for others. It is also designed to be user-friendly, with simple navigation and a clean layout so people can explore comfortably, even with limited digital skills.

Visit www.bridgit.care/support/dorset to access the Bridgit tool.  People who prefer not to, or cannot go online, can call contact the Carer Support Dorset team on the phone to discover the free support and help available.  Please scroll down for their contact details. 

Scroll down for more sources of information that you may find helpful as a Carer.

Carers Support Dorset holds the carers register for Dorset Council. They have a range of services that can be tailored to fit your needs as a carer including a phone line, regular training opportunities, events, a befriending service, and specific support for young carers.

 They offer:

• Phoneline
• Here to talk
• Regular newsletters
• Training
• Dorset Carers card
• Events
• Information Hub
• Young carers support

For more information, phone 0800 368 8349 or email  admin@carersupportdorset.co.uk

Follow this link to the Carer Support Dorset website for more information>>

A young carer is someone aged 18 or under who looks after or helps to look after someone. It might be your mum or dad, grandparent, brother or sister or a close relative. This often means doing things like cooking, cleaning, shopping, giving medication or just talking and helping when the person you care about is feeling sad.  School, friends and doing things you enjoy can sometimes be hard to fit in. 

Young people living in Dorset Council area aged under 18 years who are caring for an adult should contact Dorset Direct.  Phone 01305 221000 or email customerservices@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk.  The team will support young people to find the right help for them.

If you look after or help to look after someone, follow this link for Help and Advice for Young Carers>>>

A Carer Friendly ID card is available to carers within the Dorset and BCP Council areas. If you are a resident in the Dorset Council area, to receive the new card, you must be registered with Carer Support Dorset. If you already have a carers card this remains valid until its expiry date, so there's no need to switch unless you'd like to. 

This new photo ID card proves you are a carer when you are out and about, provides access to hundreds of local and national discounts on goods and services, records your In Case of Emergency (ICE) contact details, and comes as a physical card and digital download for your phone.

To register for your new card follow this link to the Dorset Carer Friendly Registration page>> You will need your Carer Support Dorset assigned carer ID number. If you're not sure what this is, please call Carer Support Dorset on 0800 368 8349.

You will also need to upload a head and shoulders photo of yourself.  If you need help with completing the form online, your local Digital Champion can help. Call Verwood Library on 01202 822972 to book a FREE session.   

An Afternoon of Tea and Chat

The next Carers' event organised by our Social Prescribing team will take place 

Many people living with Dementia feel that having support along their journey will maximise independent living and prevent a crisis.

The Dementia Coordinator Service, delivered by Help & Care, is committed to supporting people to live well with Dementia.

The service is available to everyone across Dorset, age 18 and over, including support for immediate carers and loved ones.

Once a diagnosis has been confirmed, the Memory Assessment Service will make a referral to a Dementia Coordinator at Dorset Healthcare.   However, Help and Care will accept self-referrals and referrals from GPs and other stakeholders as long as a diagnosis of Dementia is confirmed.

Help and Care work in partnership with Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust, NHS Dorset and Age UK, as an integral part of the Dementia Services Pathway for Dorset.

For more information, download and view this Help and Care leaflet or visit their website by following this link>> www.helpandcare.org.uk/services/dementia-coordinator-service

Consider joining our Patient Participation Group to to influence the service which the GP Practice gives to Carers in the community.

The Cranborne Practice Patient Participation Group (PPG) is formed of people from a variety of backgrounds, who each bring something different to the group. Its members are volunteer patients who work with the managers and clinicians at The Cranborne Practice and Lake Road Surgery to support and promote the best possible health care for all patients.

Find out more about our PPG and how to join on our Patient Participation Group web page by following this link>>

The Cranborne Practice has been running Tracker for many years now, keeping an eye on any vulnerable Patients within the Practice.

By vulnerable we mean anyone living alone, caring for someone, elderly, suffering from a debilitating illness or just not coping….anyone needing support and help which could cover medical, social and psychological.

Our Tracker service liaises with other agencies to ensure appropriate care and support is provided, and this has managed to keep many patients out of hospital, thus freeing hospital admissions for more acute conditions. 

Anyone with concerns about a vulnerable person who belongs to the Practice can refer them to the Tracker Service.  Lots of the Tracker work is carried out as advice over the phone, but home visits are catered for if the need arises.  

Our Tracker lead is Lolly Goddard.  For more information or to refer someone, please contact us. 

Our Dorset is a partnership of health and social care organisations working together to deliver Integrated Care Systems.  The vision of Our Dorset is for everyone to have access to high quality, joined-up health and care services, available when and where they are needed.  Our Dorset provides useful information for carers through the Dorset Council website.   

Follow this link for more information:>>

Are you caring or would you lik to continue to care for your cared-for person if they were admitted to hospital?

There is a wealth of information on the NHS website about carers and caring. Below are some links into the site that we hope you will find useful.

• A guide to care and support

  Information for carers and people who have care & support needs.

• Caring for someone

  Advice on providing care, medicines etc.

• Care after hospital

  Providing care for people who have been recently discharged from hospital.

• Taking a break

  Caring for someone can be a full-time job - find out about accessing breaks and respite care.

• Support and benefits for carers
  

  Caring for someone can be a full-time job - find out about accessing breaks and respite care.

• Work and Disability
  

  Guidance, support and help with employment issues.

  Being a Young carer

  Advice for carers 18 or under and their entitlement to support

Help claiming benefits, looking after your bank balance and understanding the legal issues of caring.

• Benefits for carers

  Directing carers to the benefits that can help them in their caring role

• Benefits for the under-65s

  Advice and information on helping the person you look after get the benefits that they are entitled to.

  Benefits for the over-65s

  Advice and information on financial support for older people with a disability or illness.

• Carer's Assement
  

  How your benefits maybe affected after the death of the person you look after and what happens to their benefits

• Other benefits

  Advice for carers and the people they are looking after on claiming a whole host of other benefits unrelated to their disability or caring