Caring for an older person

You may be caring for an older person, who needs support simply because they are older.  Perhaps you have become a carer very gradually, taking more and more responsibility for the person you are looking after.  You may be younger than the person you care for, or you may be an older person yourself.

When the person you care for is over retirement age, their entitlement to benefits is different from that of a younger person, and the health and social support they get may come from a different team.

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

• finding out what rights and benefits you and the person you care for are entitled to
• getting a carer's assessment
• finding out where you can get help with practical tasks such as shopping, gardening and transport
• finding out about services or social groups for elderly people
• getting special special equipment or making alterations to the home

Caring for someone with dementia - information on this site

Local support

• Oxfordshire carers' centresand Oxfordshire Carers' Forum
  
  
• Oxfordshire County Council: Weekday office hours: 0845 050 7666, Emergency duty team: 0800 833408
  
  
• Age Concern Oxfordshire - Benefits advice, advocacy, day centres and social contacts, befrienders and specialist services. Telephone: 01235 849400
  
  
• Dialability: 08456 251 251 enquiries@dialability.org.uk
  Advice and information about independent living.

National organisations

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