How to take a break

When was the last time you had time to yourself ? Do you put off meeting up with friends or even treating yourself to a long, relaxing bath because of your caring duties?

Caring for a family member can be a full-time job and many carers ignore their own needs and quality of life. It is essential for carers to look after their own wellbeing so that they have the strength to carry on. It’s not selfish to take a break, although many carers feel guilty about even thinking of having a short time to themselves. Carers often say that the person they care for will object or make them feel guilty if they take a break, but it is worth persevering. There are different ways of taking a break; you may want an hour or two each week, a day every now and then, or even a holiday on your own. Your local social services department can arrange services to support you, such as arranging alternative care for the person you’re looking after so you can have a break – this is called respite care.

How to get help

To get respite care through Social Services, you and the person you care for will need an assessment. A carer’s assessment will consider how caring affects your life and wellbeing, your health, feelings, work, leisure, relationships and housing. Respite care can be provided through:

■ Residential or nursing care – where the person you care for has a short stay in a residential or nursing home

■ Day-sitting service – a carer comes into your home to allow you a break to have time to yourself

■ Night-sitting service – someone comes into your home to give you a night’s sleep

■ Day care – the person you care for goes to a centre away from home to give you a break ■ Holidays – help if you want a holiday alone or with the person you care for

■ Direct payments – these are cash payments from Social Services so that the person who needs care can pay for their own care and support

Who to contact

■ Ask your local Social Services department for an assessment for both you and the person you care for

■ DisabledHolidays.com is the UK’s largest accessible holiday specialist at home and abroad and caters for children and adults with disabilities.

Call 0161 804 9898 or visit www.disabledholidays.com

■ Tourism for All provides holiday information for disabled people and their carers – call 0845 124 9971 or visit www.tourismforall.org.uk

■ Call the Carers UK helpline on 0808 808 7777 or visit www.carersuk.org