Long-time carer

You may have been a carer for a long time. 

Caring for someone is often a complex experience.  It may give great satisfaction, but there can also be feelings of isolation, guilt, resentment, stress, depression and exhaustion. 

You may have become a carer very suddenly, or gradually, taking more and more responsibility for the person you are looking after.  It may be a role you accepted willingly, out of love, or out of duty, or a bit of both – or you may feel it was thrust upon you.

These are some of the issues you may want help with:

• finding out what benefits you are entitled to – especially if your situation has changed
• getting a carer's assessment
• taking some time for yourself
• finding out where you can get help with practical tasks such as shopping, gardening and transport
• meeting other carers

Local support

• Oxfordshire Carers Centresand Oxfordshire Carers' Forum.
  
  
• Oxfordshire County Council Customer Services Unit: 0845 050 7666; Emergency Duty Team - out of hours - freephone 0800 833408
  
  
• Oxfordshire Befriending Network: Volunteers supporting people with life threatening illnesses 01865 791781.
  
  
• Age Concern Oxfordshire: benefits advice, advocacy, day centres and social contacts, specialist services 01235 849400
  
  
• Dialability: 08456 251 251 enquiries@dialability.org.uk
  Advice and information about independent living.

National organisations

• Carers UK : 0207 490 8818 or Carersline: 0808 808 777, Wednesdays and Thursdays only, 10am-12pm, 2pm-4pm
  
  
• Crossroads: national network of Crossroads Schemes has trained support workers providing practical help usually in the home: 0845 4500350.
  
  
• Counsel and care: Advice on community care, benefits, care at home, residential care and financial help for older people: 020 7241 8555.
  
  
• United Kingdom Homecare Association: can provide details of home care and home help agencies in your area: 0208 288 1551