Caring for someone
WHAT IS UNPAID CARE & WHO IS AN UNPAID CARER?
A carer is anyone who regularly looks after or gives support to a partner, family member, friend, or neighbour, who may need help because of an illness, disability, mental health condition, or old age. A carer can be an adult or child, but the care provided is unpaid.
You may feel like you are just helping out a relative, or friend, but recognising that you are providing care is a key step in getting the support you need or are entitled to.
Providing care for someone may include;
- Helping with everyday tasks (housework, shopping, getting dressed, cooking, etc.)
- Supporting the management and attendance of their appointments
- Picking up, ordering, organising or managing medication
- Researching and talking to others on their behalf, such as healthcare services and professionals
- Providing emotional support
- Simply keeping someone company
ADVICE & SUPPORT
You're not alone - there are over 5 million people in England and Wales caring for someone unpaid.
While caring for someone can be rewarding, it can also be physically and emotionally challenging. You may be balancing caring with work or childcare. You may be experiencing long-term conditions or poor mental health yourself. But there are many ways you can get support.
The person you care for may have regular (repeat), or one-off prescription medications. You may be helping to order repeat medication, collecting or arranging medication delivery, organising into pill-boxes, or helping take medication.
At Boots, we have a range of services to help you with all of these, including;
- Boots Online Prescriptions* - manage and re-order repeat medication online for someone else, and collect in any store.
- Prescription Delivery Service** - get prescriptions delivered straight to your door by one of the Boots delivery drivers.
- Text Messaging Service - we can text you when your prescription is ready to collect.
- Late night pharmacies - collect prescriptions from pharmacy open until midnight, or with extended opening hours.
- Support with medication - ask your local Boots pharmacist if you, or the person you care for needs support with;
1. Remembering what medication to take and when
2. Tracking if medication has been taken or not
3. Reading labels if visually impaired
4. Getting medication out of packaging if you suffer with arthritis, tremors, or other conditions impacting dexterity
5. If you have questions about side effects relating to your medication
You may also want to consider a Medication Management Service such as that offered by Medication Support Services*** which can provide face-to-face calls with pharmacy professionals to provide support and guidance including repeat prescription management and specialist support for those living with long-term health conditions including COPD, dementia, Parkinson’s and diabetes.
Letting your GP know about your caring responsibilities may come with many benefits, and provide you with additional support including;
- Signposting to local support services available
- Signposting to useful health and social care services
- Support with care planning
- Providing free annual health checks and flu vaccinations (also available at Boots)
- Potential to arrange double appointments for you and those you care for to avoid visiting more than necessary
- Some practices have a designated carers champion to access
If you provide more than 35 hours care a week for someone, you may be entitled to Carers Allowance, a weekly payment.
To find out more about how it works, making a claim and other potential financial support visit Government support page.
1. Carers assessment
If you care for someone, you can have a carers assessment which provides advice, or helps you understand potential ways to receive support. It may cover things like:
- Arranging care to allow you to take a break
- Training to lift or care for someone safely
- Providing information about local groups or services
- Advice on benefits for carers
- Ways to manage daily stress
A carer's assessment is FREE for anyone over the age of 18.
Find out more information from the NHS.
2. Needs assessment
If you think you, or someone you know or care for needs help to cope day-to-day, you can get a needs assessment. This may provide recommendations such as:
- Equipment to help live independently
- Potential changes to your home
- Practical help from a paid carer
- Access to day centres/lunch clubs
A needs assessment is free. Find out more information from the NHS. For further information and to check your eligibility visit the Government Carers Allowance information page.
Many people in need of support or care wish to remain and live in their own homes. There are many products which help, from making it easier to leave the house, to bathroom, bedroom and kitchen aids.
Shop our range of mobility and independent living aids here.
Falls are a leading cause of older adults losing their independence, often resulting in injuries or a loss of confidence. If you provide care for an older adult, you can help them stay safe by understanding the risks and causes of falls.[1]
There are ways to help reduce the risk of falls at home by making changes to the home environment by removing obstacles and clutter, using non-slip mats and rugs, and ensuring passages and staircases are well-lit. There are many different types of walking aids available which can help with stability both inside and outside of the home. You may also be able to improve your strength and balance by doing simple exercises including walking or following the NHS guide to strength and balancing exercises.
If you are worried or want to understand the risk of falling, for yourself or someone you care for, there are technology and device solutions that can help people stay safe and independent. Personal alarms including those with fall detection can alert call centres or carers if you experience a problem.
Taking Care’s Falls Risk Score is a free online tool that assesses an individual’s indicative risk of falling. By completing the Falls Risk Score, you can download the Taking Care Falls Prevention Guide which has lots of practical advice and tips to help reduce the risk of a fall. The Falls Risk Score will also provide personalised recommendations for the most suitable personal alarm based on your answers.
Older adults in need of support or care can feel vulnerable if they live alone or might worry about how to get help in an emergency. You may also be concerned about their safety and well-being when you cannot be with them, particularly if you do not live nearby or balance caring with work or childcare.
Taking Care’s personal alarms are easy to use and connect wearers to a 24/7 Emergency Resolution Team:
- Taking Care’s Emergency Resolution Team answer all alarm calls, any time of the day or night.
- The Emergency Resolution Team will quickly assess the situation and call family, or neighbours nominated as emergency contacts. If medical attention is needed or there is no response, the emergency services will be called.
- They will know who is calling and where they are. The Emergency Resolution Team will speak with the caller through the personal alarm equipment.
The range of personal alarms are lightweight and comfortable to wear as a pendant or around the wrist like a watch. They have a large button to press to get help in any emergency and some personal alarm models include fall detection, which automatically alerts Taking Care when they detect the wearer has fallen.
Caring for someone can be physically and emotionally demanding. Taking a break is important for your own physical and mental health. Whether it's seeing friends, taking a trip, or simply taking a walk, having some me time can benefit you, but also the the person you care for as your batteries will be re-charged.
The type and regularity of breaks will naturally depend on the type of care you provide. But there are options around arranging short-term care to allow you to take a break, such as;
- A carers assessment can provide options for arranging cover
- Employing a paid care worker to provide care at home
- Arranging short-term residential care
Caring for someone can be tiring, but you may also find yourself struggling to get to sleep, or having trouble getting a good nights sleep.
Sleep plays an essential role in mental health and physical. To get enough high quality sleep, you may want to try some of these tips:
• Avoid caffeine drinks after 3 pm.
• Try to wake up and sleep at the same time every day.
• Make your bedroom a quiet, relaxing, clutter-free space.
• Try to relax before bedtime - this could be listening to music or taking a bath.
• Avoid looking at devices an hour or two before bed; try reading a book or magazine instead.
• Explore relaxation or wellness programmes or apps, which may incorporate meditation, muscle relaxation, or breathing exercises
Find products to help you get a better night's sleep here.
Poor mental health, including anxiety, depression and stress has been found to be linked with providing care for older people.
Mental health relates to how we think, feel and act. Having good mental health is about feeling positive about ourselves and others, forming good relationships and having the resilience to overcome challenges. People with poor mental health may find it difficult to manage how they think, feel and act with daily stresses. They might not enjoy things they used to like doing or feel sad or angry for a longer time than usual.
Mental health problems are common, and help is available.
If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis or risk harming yourself or others, please call 111, speak to the Samaritans on 116 123, text Shout to 85258, or speak to your GP.
You can find out more about mental health support including advice and services via Boots Mental Health Hub.
Menopause is usually a natural process which people go through as they get older or, in some cases, is medically induced. As oestrogen levels start to drop, periods become less frequent and eventually stop altogether. For some, their periods stop quickly, but for others, it can take a few months or a few years. Everyone is different.
Around 18% of women aged 45 to 64 provide unpaid care for someone, this is the highest proportion of any other age group for men or women. Menopause signs and symptoms are different for everyone and usually begin between the ages of 45 and 55, with the average age for people in the UK being 51.
Here at Boots, we want to be part of normalising menopause. Our mission is to be there for you from the early stages and support you through your journey.
For those experiencing the menopause you may visit your GP for advice and treatment. You can also choose to browse the full range of information, products and services Boots has to offer on the menopause Health Hub. This includes the option to access HRT through the Boots Online Doctor Service‡
LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR PHARMACY SERVICES
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[1] There are 220,000 falls-related emergency hospital admissions in England among patients aged 65 and older every year.
*NHS prescription charges may apply. Please note, free home delivery through Boots Online Prescriptions is only available to patients registered with a GP in England. However, the option to collect in-store is available for all customers registered with a participating GP anywhere in the UK.
**Subject to availability. Charges may apply.
*** Charges apply.
†Eligibility criteria may apply. Charges may apply.
‡Access to treatment is subject to online consultation with a clinician to assess suitability. Subject to availability. Charges apply.
16To find out who may be eligible for a FREE NHS flu jab, see boots.com/flu for details. The free NHS (or other locally funded) flu jab is available in most Boots pharmacies in England and Wales and in some Boots pharmacies in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Jersey. Also available in our Isle of Man pharmacy. Appointments for the NHS service in England from October. Other locally funded services start in October. Private Service starts in September. Eligibility criteria apply and vary with locality. Subject to availability. Some people who do not meet the requirements for a free NHS (or other locally funded) flu jab in pharmacies can access the flu jab from their GP or in Scotland, at a vaccination centre. Speak to a member of our pharmacy team or see boots.com/flu for more details.
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