Who is an Adult Carer?
Anyone could be an Adult Carer – a Adult Carer is someone over the age of 18 who provides care to someone who couldn’t manage without their help. This could include a friend,partner or family member.
Some examples of Carers might be:
A 35-year-old man looking after his teenage child who has autism.
A 40-year-old man caring for his partner who has terminal cancer.
An 80-year-old woman looking after her husband who has Alzheimer’s disease.
The Care Act 2014 defines a Carer as anyone who provides or intends to provide care for another person needing care. This definition is broad and includes anyone who provides unpaid care and support to a family member or friend due to illness, disability, mental health issues, or addiction.
It can be difficult for Carers to separate their caring role from their relationship that they have with the person they care for, particularly when that person is a parent, adult offspring or a life partner.
As there is no set definition of a Carer, the roles and responsibilities that Carers have vary a lot. Some Carers may help with everyday tasks such as getting dressed or eating, while others may offer emotional support to the person they care for.
If you are an unpaid Carer, you have certain rights, outlined in a number of Government Acts and policies. Under the Care Act 2014, you are entitled to a Carers Assessment, which is carried out by Sefton Council. This assessment looks at your responsibilities as a Carer and what support needs to be put in place to help you in your role.
The Carers Assessment is a statutory requirement, but sometimes Carers need additional support and guidance. In Sefton, there are a number of support services and community groups available for Carers to discuss their role and get personalised guidance.
Below is a short helpful video to explain what kind of support is available for all kinds of Carers through Sefton Carers Centre- The Carers Centre complete assessments on behalf of Sefton Council.