break when they need it.
You can contact your usual optician to find out if they can visit you at home. It can be useful to see the same optometrist, as they already have a record of your eye problems and will be familiar with your needs and requirements. However, not all optometrists offer home eye tests so if your usual optometrist doesn’t offer this service, they should be able let you know of other optometrists locally who do offer home eye tests. Your GP may also be able to tell you which optometrists in your area provide eye examinations at home. Housing
Respite care provides short-term relief for primary carers, giving them time to rest, travel, or spend time with other family and friends. The care may last anywhere from a few hours to several weeks at a time. It lets you take time out to look after yourself and helps stop you becoming exhausted and run down. There are lots of respite care options. They range from getting a volunteer to sit with the person you look after for a few hours, to a short stay in a care home so you can go on holiday. The person you look after could go to a day care centre, or a paid Carer could visit them at their home to look after them. Day Centre Support Day Centre support comes in many forms and will depend on the needs of the person as to what they wish to access. Some day-centres will specialise in conditions such as learning disabilities or dementia. It is recommended that when considering a day centre, that a ‘taster’ session takes place to see if it is the right fit. It is best practice to see what is available and then arrange to have a conversation to see if it meets their needs. There is usually a charge for day centres, including those run by charities or local authority. All day centres will need to adhere to risk management and ensure the safety of their clients. As part of the day centre review, it is worth contacting your local authority to see if they have something suitable and can also assess need and possible funding for this. If someone is accessing Attendance Allowance, this may be used towards day centre services.
A basic need for us all is to have a home and to feel safe. Sometimes when we are caring for someone else, this adds to the pressure of having a warm and dry place to live. Options for housing include homeowner where a mortgage in often in place, private rental or rental through a letting agency or housing
provided by your local authority. This is sometimes referred to as ‘council housing’ or Housing Association. The latter is often assessed on need such as medical conditions and social impact. As an example, you may be offered sheltered housing (see below). Each area of Northamptonshire operates via different housing organisations. These organisations will also be the point of contact if there are any issues with your home that they provide. If you feel that you need support around housing, then your first point of contact should be your local authority. They can also guide you in the right direction if you need help around rental properties and advice on offer if you own your house. Our situations change as we become older or as we care for someone, so it is important to seek help if you need it.
www.northnorthants.gov.uk/arranging-care/day-services
www.westnorthants.gov.uk/housing
www.westnorthants.gov.uk/getting-right-care-and-support/long-term-care- and-support/day-services Residential Care There may come a time when the person you care for can no longer live at home, this may be because their care needs have increased, or because you
www.northnorthants.gov.uk/housing Respite Care
Caring is not easy- not for the carer and not for the person receiving care. The ongoing demands of taking care of someone else can strain even the most resilient person. That’s why it’s critical for carers to ask for help and take a
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