This year the theme for Carers Week is equality and today it is specifically focusing on equality for Older People.
Equality can be hard for Older People, The Equality Act 2010 is there to protect us regarding Equality, Diversity and inclusion, including age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, (including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin) religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation. It also protect you if you are looking after someone who is elderly or disabled, against direct discrimination or harassment because of your caring responsibilities. There is also some other information about supporting older LGBT+ people from Age UK and Carers UK.
Too much information is on the internet
One of the areas that some older family carers tell us is that ‘too much information is on the internet’ and I don’t currently access the internet, or can only do with the support of others
If you or an older person you know would like to access the internet and use IT, or would like to expand on the knowledge you can access Digital Workshops with Communities Together East Anglia or computer skills training are available for Family Carers in the Waveney area.
If you do not want to access the internet Suffolk Family Carers will ensure you receive any information you need by post, please ask on the phone when you speak to us 01473 835477.
Struggling to see a GP
Other problems Older Family Carers might have is struggling to get a GP appointment and attending the hospital
GP’s
Every GP is Suffolk works differently; however, each will have carers register you can ask to be on as a family carer. They should support you to be able to access a relevant appointment.
Hospitals
Suffolk Family Carers have a worker at Ipswich (01473 703756), West Suffolk (07717 785844) and James Paget Hospitals (07880 429372) or please ring our Hub on 01473 835477.
Older family carers may struggle with actually getting to the hospital or getting the person they care for to the hospital – Here are some links to transport which might be helpful:
- Non-emergency patient transport services – Ipswich hospital
- Non-emergency patient transport (NEPTS) – West Suffolk hospital
- Getting to and from James Paget University Hospitals
- Non-emergency transport services for James Paget University Hosptial – Waveney and Norfolk
- Driving Miss Daisy– Accessible Transport & Companionship
- Community Transport – Communities Together East Anglia
Hospital Carers Badges
If you are a family carer and the person you care for is admitted to Ipswich, West Suffolk or James Paget hospitals you can ask the ward staff for a carers badge and pack/booklet. The family carers badge with the discretion of the ward sister will allow you to visit out of visiting times and identify you to staff as a family carer.
Concessions
There are two main concessions which only apply to West Suffolk and James Paget hospitals.
Concessions on car parking fees.
The Time Out restaurant at West Suffolk hospital and the Aubergine restaurant at the James Paget hospital have concessions for family carers just show the cashier your family carers badge which allows you to purchase refreshments at a reduced cost.
Services from Suffolk Family Carers
All Suffolk Family Carers Services are there for all family carers – however here are a few services which might be of interest :-
ROP (Respite on Prescription)
Do you have a medical procedure or hospital appointment coming up? Will you need support for the person you care for to be able to have this medical intervention?
If you do Suffolk family Carers ‘Respite on Prescription’ may be able to provide funding to help pay for replacement care whilst you are away for planned medical procedure, appointment or treatment.
Please ask your GP to complete a ‘Respite on Prescription Referral’ to Suffolk Family Carers. If your GP is new to your surgery they may not be aware of the service, however it is there to support you, so please ask them to get in touch with us . Alternatively you can contact our Hub at hello@suffolkfamilycarers.org or 01473 835477 for more details. If longer term respite is required we will discuss with you and if appropriate refer you to Suffolk County Council to see if you are eligible for additional funding.
Please note that Respite on Prescription is not an emergency service. We can only accept referrals from your GP. Funding is currently not available in the area covered by Norfolk & Waveney ICB.
Moving and Handling
Do you physically support the person you care for, however you are finding it more difficult, and for example it is hurting your back – then our Moving and Handling service might be helpful to you, we offer a variety of options, on-line sessions, face to face group sessions, or visits in your home, all provided by trained moving and handling professionals.
Don't forget
Keeping fit is also important
Exercise and a healthy diet is important at any age, more so when we getter older, there may be local groups in your area that appeal to you and/or the person you care for.
Do you have a parish magazine that classes are advertised in? Do you have friends who attend classes? Or you could try looking at Suffolk InfoLink or ActivLives for some classes or ideas.
Keeping Warm
We know we are just going into summer, however being prepared now might enable you to be warmer next winter. Keeping the person you support warm even in the summer months might be crucial. We have had many family carers tell us the investment in a heated blanket to go over the person they care for has really helped, as it is cheaper to heat the person not the home, as explained by The Money Expert. To look at heating your home, Warm Homes Suffolk, might be able to help. UK Power Networks can make you a priority so if there is a power cut they know you are vulnerable.
