Support for Carers
During this difficult and uncertain time, we wanted to share some useful resources for those who are caring for someone during the coronavirus pandemic.
For guidance on caring for someone dying at home with COVID-19, please click here.
We also wanted to share with you some local carer organisations that are offering support and advice during this period:
West Sussex Carer Support
Helpline and online support for carers with a main focus on:
Emotional support
Carer Contingency Planning
Carers Assessments
Practical guidance and information (including equipment and grants)
https://www.carerssupport.org.uk/
info@carerssupport.org.uk
0300 028 8888
Surrey Action for Carers
Helpline and online support for carers offering:
One-to-one phone support instead of home visits
An extended Carer Information Centre, with more staff able to take your questions by phone and email
Increased information via the website
https://www.actionforcarers.org.uk
0303 040 1234
Crossroads Surrey and Crossroads Sussex
Respite services in the home are being provided by both Crossroads Care Surrey and Crossroads Care South Central (West Sussex area).
https://crossroadscaresurrey.org.uk/
01372 869970
http://www.crossroadscare-sc.org
01903 790270
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If you’re looking after someone who is unwell or have been caring for someone who has since died, you may find you’d like a little support of your own. We can help give you strength to face the challenges ahead.
Carer Support Needs Assessment Tool – CSNAT
We appreciate that being a carer can be hard at times, and as part of our overall service we normally assess the support that you may need in order to continue helping and caring. The CSNAT form has been developed from the experiences of people, who just like you, have been supporting someone who is seriously ill. If you are caring for someone referred to St Catherine’s Hospice and you would like to complete this, you can do that in a number of ways, either compete the form online, print it out and return it to us or contact our wellbeing team and ask them to send you the form in the post.
Download the Carers Support Needs Assessment Tool here
To complete the form:
- Please open this file using Adobe Reader (if you have not already got this installed on your PC / laptop, you can download this for free from https://get.adobe.com/uk/reader/ or if you want to complete on your mobile, you can do so for iPhone or Android by searching in your app store for Adobe Fill & Sign).
- If opening on a PC / laptop, select the tool from the tool bar (running above the document or down the side) which resembles an ink pen, then select the Ab button from the tool bar (which will appear above the document). This will allow you to click into the tables and enter the required details. Please note there is also the option to choose an ‘X’ which you can use in the table with the 15 statements.
- If opening on your mobile with the correct app installed it will automatically allow you to enter the details in the tables provided.
- You will need to save the document on your device and then email it to wellbeing@stch.org.uk
We aim to contact you within 7 days of receiving your completed form, to discuss your support needs.
Emotional Support
Caring for someone who has a life limiting illness can leave you feeling isolated and stressed or suffering health problems of your own. Our team of counsellors and support visitors are here to support you during end of life care and long after a bereavement, giving you the chance to be heard, the time to talk and an opportunity to cry. We offer individual counselling sessions and drop-in groups and can arrange to see you at the hospice or in the comfort of your own home. For more information please ask any member of staff or call 01293 447343.
Support with Finances
Money can be a worry when you’re caring for someone who has a life limiting illness, especially if you are unable to work or have had to reduce your hours. Our Welfare Advisor can give advice about a range of financial and practical issues, for example advice on benefits, grants, disabled parking badges, making wills and appointing a lasting power of attorney. If you would like to speak to our Welfare Advisor please ask any member of our team or call 01293 447345.
Spiritual Care
When people close to you become ill, this can raise questions and fears of a spiritual nature; perhaps challenging your sense of meaning, purpose and value, or your priorities and beliefs. Our Spiritual Care Team is available to anyone who might appreciate the company of someone who can listen and will help you explore any difficult questions that you may have. If you would like more information about how to access this support, please call 01293 447343 and ask to speak to our Spiritual Care Lead.
Practical Advice and Support
Our Clinical Team is available to answer any questions you might have, from medication to how to get someone out of the bath safely. We can also give you nutrition and exercise advice and help you manage tiredness, and put you in touch with many other organisations out there to help you too.
You might also like to read our Advice for carers booklet too.