If you spend time looking after a friend, relative, partner or neighbour who cannot manage on their own, you should think about how this may be affecting your health.
Every year:
- 51% of carers have a physical injury as a result of caring
- 52% of carers need treatment for stress-related problems
- Many carers have to give up work and caring because of the effect caring has had on their own health.
Many of the health problems affecting carers are preventable.
A carer should be able to:
- Get enough sleep and rest
- Have regular nutritious meals
- Have time for themselves
- Have social contact with other people, separate from the caring situation
- Get enough information about services that could help
- Feel free from financial worry because they have access to information on benefits or debt.
It can be difficult to make time for yourself, but it is important to get help before you reach a crisis or become exhausted.
Give yourself a health check
- Do you have unexplained aches or pains, poor circulation or regular 'minor' illnesses such as flu or colds?
- Do you make sure that you eat and drink regularly?
- Do you have problems with breathing, moving around the house, or going up or down stairs?
- Do you have problems sleeping?
- Do you often feel worried or tired?
- Are you aware of mood swings and changes in the way you react to other people?
- Have you been to the dentist or had your hearing and sight tested recently?
What can you do?
Looking after someone else can be exhausting but it is important to look after yourself as well.
If you are worried about your own health:
- Make an appointment to speak to your doctor or practice nurse and talk to them about how you feel
- Contact Camden Social Services and ask for a community care assessment for the person you care for and a carer's assessment for yourself. Tel: 020 7974 6666
- Contact Camden Carers Centre for independent advice and information. Tel: 020 7388 5422.
Remember to take care of your health
See our Help section for a list of useful numbers