Adult carers

If you are a carer under 18 years of age, please see the young carers - support and advice page.

Our trained staff in the customer services centre will help you decide what you may require and who to contact. They can put you in touch with our specialist social care staff. These specialists can visit you, or the person you care for, to look at what extra help may be needed.

Support for the person you care for

The services available to the person you care for will depend on an assessment of their needs but some examples are:

• Advice on respite care and short breaks;
• Blue car parking badges for people with a disability;
• Day services;
• Personal care at home;
• Specialist equipment and adaptations to the home, such as telecare, to help the person you care for manage more independently or to help you to care; and
• Using Your Support, Your Way to give the person you care for more choice and control over how their social care is planned, organised and delivered.

Support for you as a carer

We can also provide support directly to you as a carer. Some examples are:

• A carer assessment can help us to ensure that you get the support you need as a carer;
• Access to the North Yorkshire carers' forum so that you can have your views as a carer heard;
• A direct carer's support grant;
• Advice with looking after your health as a carer;
• Help for carers who may need support to continue working and caring from our supported employment service; The service can also provide support with accessing training and employment; and
• The carer's emergency card which will identify you as a carer if you have an accident or are unable to identify yourself, so that the person you care for will receive support in an emergency.

Additional support from organisations in North Yorkshire

In addition to the help and support we can provide, there are many organisations in North Yorkshire which support carers, including carers' centre and carers' resources. These are organisations whose purpose is to give practical and emotional support to carers. For more details, see the carers' centres in North Yorkshire page.

	Related information from NHS Choices Links to information for carers on the NHS Choices website. Carers direct The carers directsection provides information, advice and support for carers. Carers' lives Information on life as a carer, including all about caring; getting help; and real stories from carers. For more information see the carers' livespage. [Content supplied by NHS Choices]