Christa Braybrooks carries a Carers Emergency Card
“What happens if I’m no longer there to look after my loved-one?” It’s an unpaid carer’s worst nightmare and a scenario that’s easy to push to the back of your mind – but it’s important to plan ahead for the situation.
Shelia Adams, from Fakenham, is 81, and cares for her husband, John who’s 84. He has kidney cancer that’s spread to his bones. She says it’s important to think ahead:
“I have to lift him, change him and wash him now several times a day and I have arthritis in my back and wrist. If something happened to me we have, at least, managed to decide on a care home for him. We’ve just sorted out our will, and we do, now, need to think about the money and how he would manage if I wasn’t there. It’s important to be prepared for the worst otherwise it will come as a shock.”
For parents caring for a young person with an illness or disability, thinking of a future when they can no longer look after their child is emotional, but essential; Norfolk Carers’ Handbook and website, www.norfolkcarers.org.uk has details of organisations that can help.
Schemes such as Norfolk County Council’s “In My Place” Carers Emergency Card, mean that if a carer is involved in an accident, emergency or taken ill, the Council will ensure that the cared-for person is safe.
Christa Braybrooks from Norwich carers for her husband who has Parkinson’s Disease. She carries a Carers Emergency Card, she says:
“I feel greatly reassured that I have the card with me in case of an emergency.”
For information and support Norfolk Carers Advice Line and website can help: 0808 808 9876, www.norfolkcarers.org.uk. @NorfolkCarersUK Facebook: NorfolkCarersUK The website now has a new Live Chat facility.
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