When caring comes to an end - new resource launched

An essential new publication is being a launched (available from Oct 29th 2007) to help carers whose responsibilities are changing. When caring comes to an end, published jointly by the charities Carers UK and Help the Hospices and the Action for Carers and Employment (ACE) National partnership, is a short, easy to read, practical guide with sections covering key issues under three main headings: when the person you care for moves into a residential or nursing home; when the person you care for dies and life after caring.

The aim of the guide is to help the thousands of carers looking after family and friends with chronic illness or disabilities, unpaid, to identify key decisions that might have to be made, the actions they might have to take and the main sources of practical and emotional support.

Emily Holzhausen from Carers UK said, “Caring coming to an end can have an enormous impact on carer’s lives, practically, emotionally and financially and yet carers are given very little information to help them plan for such a big change in their lives. Not planning properly for this time can have devastating consequences and that is why Help the Hospices and Carers UK have teamed up to produce this essential guide which will be helpful for carers and professionals alike.

As the guide explains, there is no ‘right’ way to feel when you find yourself free of your caring responsibilities following a change in circumstances such as the death of someone you have cared for, for months or even years. It is not unusual for carers to experience a period of illness themselves or to feel guilty about returning to a ‘normal’ life free of caring responsibilities.

Tanya Sealey of Help the Hospices explained, “Carers have sometimes devoted so much time to caring that they have let other aspects of their lives go, such as work, friendships and outside interests. It can be extremely hard to pick up the pieces and start again.”

The guide includes plenty of factual information as well as signposting on a range of topics including Advance Care Planning, welfare rights and benefits, residential or care home support, hospice care and what to do when someone dies, including registering a death and arranging a funeral. There are also sources of bereavement support and ideas about life beyond caring such as volunteering and helpful information about going back to work. Carers, family members and professionals working through the issues with carers will all find this guide helpful.

The guide is available free of charge to carers, with a small charge for postage and packing for bulk orders. Call 0845 241 0963 or email publications@carersuk.org for details. The material can be read online here or it can be downloaded free of charge here 

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Media enquiries including real life case studies, expert comment, images and review copies of the guide:

Katie Brewin Media and PR Manager
Help the Hospices
0161 881 7753

k.brewin@helpthehospices.org.uk

Emily Holzhausen
Head of Policy and Public Affairs
Carers UK
020 7566 7637. Mobile: 0794 127 3108

Emily.Holzhausen@carersuk.org

About Carers UK
Carers UK is the leading campaigning, policy and information organisation of and for carers. Carers UK continues to make a difference to carers' lives by: campaigning for a better deal for carers; informing carers of their rights and what help is available; training and advising professionals who work with carers; working across the UK through its membership and networks of branches and affiliates. For more information, visit www.carersuk.org or for advice on your caring situation call CarersLine on T. 0808 808 7777.

About Help the Hospices
Help the Hospices is the national charity for the hospice movement, supporting over 240 local hospices across the UK in their vital work on the front line of caring for people who face the end of life. Hospices provide a wide range of care for people living with terminal illness and their families, from in-patient beds to day care and care for people in their own homes. The majority of hospice care is provided by local independent charities. The UK government contributes an average of 32% of running costs for adult hospices and 22% for children’s (England) – the rest is dependent on voluntary contributions (note: based on latest figures available). Help the Hospices Care for the Carers of the Terminally Ill project, funded by the Tubney Charitable Trust, aims to support people who provide unpaid care for a relative or friend, through the development of information and support services. Visit www.timetocare.org.uk. For more information on Help the Hospices visit www.helpthehospices.org.uk

About ACE National
The Action for Carers and Employment (ACE National) partnership is funded under the European Social Fund’s Equal Programme. The partnership which is led by Carers UK and includes Help the Hospices as members, aims to raise awareness of the barriers facing carers who wish to work and tests and promotes ways of supporting them. Visit www.acecarers.org.uk