Looking after someone 2017, Northern Ireland | Page 11

Where to start Caring can be hard work – physically and emotionally. It’s important to find out about the different ways you can get help and support with caring. One way to get help and support is through an assessment by the local health and social care trust. Both you and the person you care for can get an assessment. This may result in help and support being provided to you as a carer and/or to the person you are looking after. For further information see pages 13-14. You could decide to buy in additional help and support for the person you are looking after. You could decide to employ an individual or use a care provider such as a care agency. If you are looking for care providers you could: • ask the local health and social care trust if they have a list of approved care providers • search on the Which? Elderly Care directory: www.which.co.uk/elderly-care/ care-services-directory Looking after someone You can also find out about equipment and technology that could help make your home safer, your life easier and provide independence for the person you are looking after – see page 18. Caring inevitably means adapting to changing circumstances, so it’s important to think about the future. You may need to look into different ways of managing someone’s affairs, either now or for the future – see page 15. You could find out if you have a local carers organisation, and if so what support they offer to carers in the area. To find your local carers organisation visit carersuk.org/localsupport or contact the Carers NI Adviceline on 028 9043 9843. carersni.org 11