Rita and her daughter, dropped into “The View – A Space for Carers“ This is located at our offices in Claydon and available during our reception opening hours for family carers to drop in for advice, support or simply a coffee and chat.
After settling into a private room with a coffee Rita and her daughter explained to one of our advisors that Rita is caring for her husband who has age-related frailty. Rita is doing more and more without either her, her daughter or her husband realising it. Rita doing all the housework, cooking, looking after the money as well as washing and dressing her husband.
Rita went on to say “Thankfully my daughter and son come and help me out when they can, but it’s difficult for them to be here a lot as they both have busy jobs and families of their own. I do feel isolated, but have friends who visit which is lovely. It does raise both mine and my husband’s spirits.
I’m very concerned about how many things I do around the house, and with caring for my husband I’m finding this very tricky to get through. I don’t feel bad for having to care for my husband, it just sometimes feels too much for me.”
Rita’s daughter explained that her dad isn’t able to get into the bath, so her mum is washing him at the sink. Rita’s daughter had tried to help Rita look into a Care and Support Assessment for her dad, but found accessing this and finding other information confusing and daunting.
Our Adviser explored various options with them, and what Rita needed for her own wellbeing. The Adviser highlighted that Suffolk Family Carers could refer her husband for a Care and Support Assessment (with his consent) and this might be good place to start. They also discussed a Carers Assessment for Rita.
Next they were able to help Rita and her daughter look into different avenues of support, including respite Day Care centres for her husband and Suffolk Family Carers workshops for Rita. Rita was also open to asking her friends if they would mind helping with some of the smaller jobs around the house when they came to visit.
Rita said “After our visit to Suffolk Family Carers, the adviser sent us relevant information, including details of Day Care centres and we are looking into this with my husband. I’m so pleased I’ve been able to reach out for help and know that it’s there if I need it again in the future if have other questions, need advice, or support with how I am feeling”
Rita was referred to our Duty team after her initial support with the adviser at The View – A Space for Carers.
