The council will work this out in a financial assessment. If the council is paying for some or all of your homecare, they must give you a care and support plan. This sets out what your needs are, how they will be met and your personal budget the amount the council thinks your care should cost. You can choose to receive your personal budget as a direct payment each month. This gives you the control to employ someone you know to care for you at home rather than using a homecare agency, though you'll then have responsibilities as an employer.
If you're not eligible for the council to contribute to your homecare costs, you'll have to pay for it yourself. Read more about when the council might pay for your care. Some, such as Attendance Allowance and Personal Independence Payments, are not means tested and they can help you meet the costs of homecare.
Homecare agencies employ trained carers and arrange for them to visit you in your home. You may not always have the same carer visiting your home, though the agency will try to match you with someone suitable. If you're paying for yourself, the agency should be able to give you a clear price list. They'll send you a monthly bill for your homecare. Homecare agency carers should treat you in a respectful and dignified way.
For example, they should always:. Instead of using an agency, you can hire your own carer, sometimes called a private carer or personal assistant. If you employ a paid carer, you have the legal responsibility of an employer.
This includes arranging cover for their illness and holidays. Later Life Care has advice on employing a private carer. This helps you to have the energy and strength required for your role as carer.
There is support available to help you and your family through these difficult times. It is important for you to keep doing the activities you enjoy outside of your caring role. Taking regular breaks from caring will help you avoid becoming worn out. Take the time to do something for yourself every day. Many people receiving care feel better if they know their carers are taking time for enjoyment and rest. It may not be possible to take away all the stress but taking some steps to look after yourself will help.
It can be easy to put your own needs last, but it is important if you are feeling tired or stressed to look after yourself so you are still able to care for the person that needs you the most. The emotional demands of caring for someone with a life-limiting illness can be high. As a carer, it is important to look after your own emotional needs.
This is important so you can continue your caring role and maintain your own emotional resilience. If the situation seems hopeless, some people find it helpful having hope for small things. For example, you may not be able to hope for a cure, but you can hope your loved one has a good day today. Friends and family can offer significant support, but you may find it helpful to speak with a healthcare professional such as a counsellor.
Often someone without an emotional connection to you or the person you care for will help you see things clearly. A counsellor can help by:. Many healthcare professionals and services offer some level of counselling support.
Start by speaking with your doctor. They may then refer you to a specialist counselling service, if needed. Carers also felt the palliative care team was too busy to ask for help. Remember that you are an important part of the care team and your wellbeing is vital to being able to provide support. There are other options for assistance such as trained volunteers. Carer support and respite services can help you to take a break from your caring role. Ask your palliative care service about your respite care options.
You could have a volunteer stay with your loved one while you take a short break. If you need a longer break, the person you are caring for could go into respite care, so you can have some time away to rest and recuperate. Carers can help someone to be as independent, healthy and well as possible. This might be through helping someone stay connected to their local community, or be physically and mentally active, or eat nutritious food. Some carers might have to help someone with tasks like banking, shopping and housework where the person is quite independent.
Other carers may have a more intensive care role helping with all daily living tasks — feeding, bathing, dressing, going to the toilet and taking medicines. Taking on a care role can be a big commitment. In some cases it can mean giving up other activities or responsibilities, including other work opportunities, which could have a significant financial impact.
Some people see taking on a care role as their duty — either to a partner, parent, sibling or grown child — that they take on willingly. When deciding if you are willing to become a carer it might help to consider the following:. Carers play an important role in our society, creating many social and economic benefits for themselves, the people they care for and the whole community. There is a wide range of services and organisations that support the health, wellbeing and independence of carers and the people they care for.
This helps them to maintain their relationship with each other. This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:. There are support services to for both carers, and those being cared for. Whether you are receiving care at home or living in a residential aged care home, you have the right to be treated with respect and dignity at all times, and receive high-quality care and support. Respect, consideration, recognition and support are some of the principles that guide how government departments, local councils and government-funded services work with carers and people who are being cared for.
As circumstances change it is important to continually assess what services and home assistance will be most helpful. Review date: 27 January Home How we can help Information and support Caring for someone with a terminal illness Your needs as a carer Your needs as a carer Looking after someone with a terminal illness can be physically, emotionally and financially demanding.
On this page:. Getting support Taking care of your health Making some time for normal life Coping with feelings External websites. Need to talk? Life is more challenging right now, but we're still here for you. No matter your worries, our nurses, trained officers and volunteers are here to listen. Call our free Support Line on Chat to us on webchat Send us an email at support mariecurie.
Taking care of your health Carers worry about the impact of caring on their physical and mental health. Making some time for normal life Some carers find that caring gradually takes over their life and they lose their interests and hobbies, and contact with friends and family.
Coping with feelings Caring comes with all sorts of feelings. About this information This information is not intended to replace any advice from health or social care professionals. Did you find this page useful? Your feedback will help us improve our information and support resources. What were you looking for today?
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