Use the carer's checklist to think about what your life is like now, and how it could be improved.
You don't need to fill it in or show it to anyone. It's just to give you some ideas about the things which may be discussed at your assessment.
The checklist may not cover everything, as each caring role is different.
Day to day care
When caring for someone else, take note of:
- how often and how long does it takes
- household tasks like shopping, cooking, cleaning, laundry
- personal care, help to wash, bathing, feeding, using the toilet
- help with medical care, equipment, medication, arranging appointments, making sure therapy routines, such as physio exercises, are followed
- paperwork, dealing with mail, bills, money
- getting around, walking, pushing a wheelchair, in the car
- giving emotional support
- helping them to express their views
- emergency care, if you're available by phone, or you have a house key
Think about keeping a diary for a week or maybe longer to help you prepare. Don't forget to include anything you have to do overnight as well as during the day.
Health and mental wellbeing
Do you have any health problems?
- are you stressed, anxious or depressed?
- do you get backache or headaches?
- how easy do you find it to go to health appointments for yourself, things like doctor, dentist, optician, hospital?
- does your GP know you're a carer?
- do you have to move or lift the person you care for?
- do you have any aids or adaptations to help you like a raised chair, bed, or hoist.
- do you get enough sleep?
- do you sometimes get a break from caring?
- do you eat healthily
- do you get enough exercise?
- can you leave the person you care for alone in the house?
- do you have any telecare equipment to help you like a pendant alarm, flood detector, bed occupancy sensor or door exit sensor
- can you look after your own day to day needs?
Family responsibilities
Does caring affect your relationship with family, your friends or the person you look after?
- do you have family commitments as well as your caring role?
- if you're a parent, is caring making this role harder?
- do you feel you have time for your children?
- do you feel you have to ask your children to support you in your caring role?
Support and leisure
Does anyone give support with, or a break from, your caring role?
- does the person you care for have home care, or go to a day centre or lunch club?
- does another family member or friend sometimes provide care?
- do you want to pursue any leisure interests but can't because of your caring role?
Work, education and training
- are you struggling to combine employment and caring?
- have you had to reduce your hours of work?
- would you like to return to paid employment?
- do you want to do any training or further education?
Finance
- is being a carer giving you any financial problems?
- would you like advice on benefits?
Risks
- does the person you care for sometimes show challenging behaviour?
- do you feel your housing and living conditions are suitable?
Culture and religion
- do you want to go to a place of worship or other regular religious and cultural activities?
- do you have any specific religious or cultural needs?
Access to information and advice
- how do you like to get information and advice? Such as leaflets, face to face, on the phone, Internet
- what is your preferred language?
- do you need large print?
- is there specific advice or information you need now?
Emergency planning
- do you need help in planning what happens if you suddenly become ill or have an emergency?
More information about emergency planning for carers.
Your views about caring
- do you feel you don't have a choice about providing care?
- you may feel that you can't carry on at all, or only if you reduce the amount that you do. What would you most like to change about your situation?
- do you have particular concerns about the future for you and the person you care for?