Long distance carers
If you have some responsibility for the welfare of someone who lives far away from you, you may be experiencing particular stresses and problems. You may live in Oxfordshire and support someone who lives a long way away, or you may live elsewhere and support someone who lives in Oxfordshire.
Issues you may be concerned about could include:
Financial pressures and additional expenses:
- Juggling caring with work, family and other responsibilities
- feelings of guilt or lack of control
- trying to find out about what help and services are available locally for the person cared for
- concerns about their welfare and personal safety
- negotiating with health, social care and other professionals
- negotiating and liaising with family or friends providing 'on the spot' support
Local support
- Oxfordshire carers' centres can provide help with finding out about local services.
- Emergency: you may also need information about who to contact in an emergency. See emergency information
- Careline: home safety and personal security at home through a pendant alarm scheme: 01865 760733
- Anchor Staying Put - Help with adaptations and repairs to help people stay in their own home:
OxfordCity: 01865 252242
Banbury: 01295 221740/660/743
Wallingford: 01491 823888
Witney: 01993 709524
- Oxfordshire County Council's Customer Services Unit: 0845 050 7666. Out of office hours Emergency Duty Team: 0800 833408
- The 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 etc: 01235 849400
- PALS (Patient Advice and Liaison Service) Confidential, informal support and advice for patients, relatives and carers
Oxfordshire Primary Care Trust PALS Freephone 0800 052 6088 (24 hour message service available). Email: pals@oxfordshirepct.nhs.uk
- Oxfordshire Message in a Bottle Scheme: Run by the Lions club. Personal information is kept in a bottle, including details of medication and who to contact in an emergency. The bottle is kept in the person at risk’s home – a label alerts emergency services that someone is part of the scheme. The scheme is free. Bottles can be obtained from health centres, chemists, neighbourhood watch centres and carers’ centres.
National organisations
- Carers UK 0207 490 8818 or Carersline 0808 808 777 Weds and Thursdays only, 10am-12pm, 2pm-4pm
- MedicAlert - supply a bracelet or necklace which tells others about someone’s medical condition, blood type etc. 0800 581420
- Radar - Disability network, providing – among other things – information about accessible accommodation for holidays or short breaks: 020 7250 3222
- United Kingdom Homecare Association Can provide details of home care and home help agencies in your area: 0208 288 1551
- Age Concern (information, advice, services, campaigns and discussion) 020 8765 7200 or Information line: 0800 009966 seven days a week, 8am to 7pm
Counsel and Care
- Advice on community care, benefits, care at home, residential care and financial help for older people: 020 7241 8555
- Advocacy Resource Exchange - national resource and referral agency for independent advocacy: 020 8880 4545
Crossroads
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