The Advocare Caring for Carers service

If you are or have recently been caring for someone, you are important to us: Advocare could be important for you. For those experiencing difficulty with the demands of their caregiving role our independent Caring for Carers service offers help and information, support and advocacy. Our service is based in Poole, Dorset, and is free to unpaid family carers including those no longer caring full-time.

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

Our Advocare - Caring for Carers service is based on the premise that:

• Carers are first of all people who need to feel valued for who are and what they do.
• Carers who feel dispirited are more likely to be in fear of a crisis hastening their loved one's admission into residential care.
• By caring appropriately for their carers we can help to prevent the premature or unwanted institutionalisation of vulnerable people.

Carers generally come to us when they are at their wits' end having tried everyone else. Having been unpaid family caregivers ourselves we can understand some of the difficulties other carers experience. Our aim is to reduce their stress and anxiety through individual or group support. By listening to their story we can understand the carer's unique perspective.

Don't suffer in silence!

If you would like to talk in confidence to someone who has also been a carer please call our Caring for Carers line on (01202) 737592.

Help and information relevant to the individual's unique situation

Some of the issues that have prompted people to contact us include:

• Dealing with a shock diagnosis;
• Requesting a Carers Assessment;
• Being included on the Carers Register;
• Obtaining respite breaks;
• Arranging Lasting Power of Attorney;
• Obtaining reliable, appropriate home care;
• Accessing free NHS-funded continuing care including when caring for someone at home;
• How to deal with issues of abuse or neglect;
• How to deal with complaints processes.

If you are feeling alone or you are struggling with some of the above issues we may be able to help you. Just call our Caring for Carers line: (01202) 737592.

Support

Some of what we do is a confidence-building process. By helping carers to see that they do have options they are more able to deal with some of the difficulties of their caregiving role. Support may be in a group or in an individual setting as follows:

Advocare After-Care:

There is life after caring. Advocare After-Care helps carers and former carers deal with some of the 'invisible' aspects of caring such as feeling 'stuck' when they are no longer caring full-time. They can be fun!

For more details about Advocare's After-Care workshops please contact Cathey on (01202) 737592.

The Assert Programme:

The Assert programme empowers carers and former carers and reduces their stress. By putting people back in touch with who they are Assert also brings a long-lasting change in their outlook.

After taking part in an Assert Programme:

• Ruby no longer feels trapped in her caregiving role;
• Tom no longer feels isolated as a carer;
• Maud has been able to deal with aspects of her life that had been depressing her;
• John no longer feels 'stuck' and has 'moved on'.

The Assert Programme is available on an individual or group basis depending on demand. For more details please call Cathey on (01202) 737592.

Advocare's free counselling service:

We can refer Dorset carers and former carers for free counselling with an experienced counsellor who understands carers' issues, including the need for support during impending bereavement. For more details please call Cathey on (01202) 737592.

If required we can make referrals to a private UKCP registered psychotherapist with a special interest in carers' needs. For more details please call Cathey on (01202) 737592.

Advocacy

By simply knowing we are an independent organisation carers are reassured in the confidence that they can speak openly to us about their concerns. Sometimes we can open fresh channels of communication with statutory bodies and improve understanding on both sides. Even with our support, however, some carers 'pull back' from dealing with unwelcome official decisions about their loved-ones' care for fear of backlash. We can then make representations on the carer's behalf to the appropriate authorities and thereby protect their interests and those of their loved-one.

Membership of Advocare

As a member of Advocare you are able to access any of the above. Membership is free and open to anyone over eighteen who is or has been a family caregiver but we do ask people to buy badges at GBP 2.00 each to help with admin costs.

For more information please call our Caring for Carers line on (01202) 737592 or send an E-mail to: .