Being a carer

Carers provide regular, unpaid help to someone close to them due to frailty, physical or mental illness, addiction or disability.

Carers may help with:

• personal care (washing, bathing, dressing, feeding)
• medication
• cooking
• shopping
• housework
• emotional support

Many people do not recognise themselves as carers. Carers can be any age; they are parents, grandparents, children, partners, friends or neighbours doing what needs to be done to maintain the quality of life for someone close to them.

Help for carers

People who care for others may not realise that support is also available to help them, see information about:

• advice for carers
• carers emergency card
• short breaks or holidays
• managing someone’s affairs
• support in the workplace
• young carers
• training and education
• events and activities

Download factsheets for carers from York Carers Centre.

Assessment of your needs as a carer

A carer's assessment looks at your caring situation and checks that your needs are taken into account. It helps to identify the physical, emotional and practical impact that caring has on your life. You'll be asked about the kind of support the person you care for needs, and what help you might need to provide it, as well as how to look after your own health and wellbeing.

Download a carer's assessment form from York Carers Centre.

York Carers Strategy

York Carers Strategy 2019-2024 details how we'd like to see the lives of carers improved in coming years; it’s been written by a group of people from health and social care organisations, including the council, healthcare professionals, charities, families, and carers themselves.

Also see

• Live Well York