Looking after family or friends after they leave hospital
Updated 4 August 2022
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This leaflet lists useful advice for family and friends of people needing ongoing care or support with day-to-day life.
What kind of support could you give someone
Support may be in the home or remotely (for example, by phone), and might include:
- emotional support like helping someone manage anxiety or mental health
- housework like cooking, cleaning or other chores
- personal support like help moving around, washing, eating or getting dressed
- assistance with getting essential items like medicine or food
- help to manage money, paid care or other services
If you are not able to care, and/or need help, then you have a right to a carer’s assessment to have your needs considered too.
Check what your council or local authority can offer. Find their websites using the online postcode tool. Services may change during the pandemic.
What to consider if you’re looking after someone
1. Get help from others with caring and everyday tasks
Go to the Carers UK and Carers Trust websites for information about support available. Carers UK also has an online forum where you can speak to other carers, and a free helpline, open Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm on 0808 808 7777.
If you’re employed, talk to your employer about managing work while caring. You may be able to arrange flexible working and many employers offer other ways of making things easier.
If you’re at school, college or university, let them know you are caring for someone so they can help you manage your studies. Carers Trust has lots of helpful advice for young people looking after family members or friends.
Get specialist advice about caring from condition-related organisations like Alzheimer’s Society, Age UK, MIND and others.
Try not to do everything yourself. Speak to friends and family about what others can do to help. Can they share any tasks?
2. Look after your health as well as the person you support
It’s important to look after your own health and wellbeing. Eat a balanced diet, get enough sleep and try to make time each day for physical activity.
Even taking a few breaths can relieve stress and help you manage each day. Check the NHS ‘Every Mind Matters’ website for more tips. If your own health or the health of the person you support gets worse, with coronavirus or another illness, talk to your GP or call NHS 111.
3. Think ahead to make care manageable if things change
Write down what care the person needs and what others should do if you cannot continue providing care for any reason. It’s important that others can easily find your plan and quickly understand what needs to be done if you aren’t there. Carers UK has advice on their website on how to make your plan.
4. Register for extra support from NHS Volunteers
Carers, as well as those they care for, can get a range of help including with shopping and other support by calling 0808 196 3646.