How Advocare cares for carers

The concept of Advocare - Caring for Carers is based on the premise that:

• Carers are first of all people with their own unique identity.
• Carers need to feel valued for who they are and what they do.
• When carers feel dispirited they feel less able to handle a crisis which they fear will hasten their loved one’s admission into residential care.

As far as we are aware, Advocare is the only charity of its kind in the country run by carers for carers. Dedicated to providing truly independent support to carers and former carers and empowering them to have a free voice, our free Caring for Carers service is tailored to address their 'invisible' needs and offers:

• A confidential, independent 'listening ear' (on the telephone and home visits);
• Advocacy for carers who want 'moral support' during assessments, reviews, assessments, consultations, representation at appeals;
• Self-advocacy;
• The Assert programme which puts people back in touch with who they are and brings long-lasting change;
• The After-care programme to help those carers who feel 'stuck' or isolated after they finish full-time caregiving;
• Counselling or therapy for depression, anxiety and stress, bereavement and loss, and
• Workshops specially-tailored for carers.

A well-documented cause of depression and ill-health is not feeling in charge of one's own destiny. The enormous pressures of being a carer can sometimes submerge the individual's identity. Advocare helps carers to regain control of their situation.

With a more positive approach carers can deal more effectively with the demands of their caregiving role. Carers thus empowered are also better able to express their own needs and voice more strongly how their loved-ones should be treated.

Advocare can sometimes open a fresh channel of communication and improve understanding on all sides.

"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" (Benjamin Franklin 1706-1790)

In providing support tailored to meet the individual's 'invisible' needs, we help to:

• Reduce their stress;
• Improve their wellbeing;
• Enhance their quality of life and that of their loved-one;
• Encourage earlier access of appropriate health and care services;
• Prevent breakdown of care packages;
• Avoid the unwanted or premature institutionalisation of vulnerable people;
• Prevent carers from becoming patients themselves.

Thus by caring appropriately for the unpaid family caregiver we are safeguarding their wellbeing and that of the person they are looking after. For more details please contact Cathey on (01202) 737592.