More Help for Older Carers - starts April 2012

Date:

Wed, 25/01/2012

Of the UK’s six million carers, around half are aged over 50. This is a time of life when people are looking forward to retirement – to having more time for themselves and their families or taking up new hobbies and leisure activities. For many older carers, planning or enjoying their retirement is simply not an option.

Carers aged 60 to 69 often juggle caring (sometimes for more than one person, for example, a parent and an adult son or daughter) with the demands of work and financial pressures, while those aged 70 and above often find it difficult to cope with the physical demands of caring at a time when their own health may be deteriorating. A survey by the Princess Royal Trust for Carers found that two-thirds of older carers have long-term health problems or a disability themselves.

That’s why Bolton Carers Support will be offering more help to older carers.

A new ‘Carers Connect’ Project, funded by Comic Relief, will offer home visits to identify the areas where carers need most support and to help carers access local services such as handyperson schemes, benefits advice, housing advice, aids and equipment and other practical help.

For carers who would like a regular phone call, a new telephone befriending service will offer a friendly voice and ongoing support.

More local support such as carers courses and ‘Connecting Up’ cafe’s will be on offer, as carers say they appreciate knowing that they are not on their own and other carers are often an invaluable source of information and tips on caring.

Michelle Clarke, Chief Officer at Bolton Carers Support, said

“We are delighted to be able to offer home visits for older carers for the first time. We know from calls to our Carers Helpline that these will be beneficial for carers who need that little bit of help to contact local services. When you are caring for someone it can be difficult to maintain friendships and retain a life of your own, that’s why we will be setting up carers cafe’s in different parts of Bolton, offering a friendly welcome, a listening ear and the opportunity to relax in good company.”

From April 2012, If you are a carer aged over 65 and you would like to have a home visit, please contact Bolton Carers Support on 01204 363056 Monday to Thursday 9.30 am to 4.30 pm.