Breaks for carers
Getting a break can be vital to help you stay healthy and maintain good wellbeing. There are a few ways to do this:
Local groups and activities
There are lots of groups and activities specific to carers.
They include the popular carer's coffee and chat groups, activities in local areas and emotional support groups. These can help you have some time for yourself and talk to other people in similar situations.
Sitting and befriending schemes
Some local carer services and charities offer a sitting or befriending service where a trained person stays with the person you care for while you go out.
- Age UK Calderdale and Kirklees Befriending Services
- Yorkshire Children's Centre - Travel Companions, Befriending and Active at Home
- Independent Age offers regular phone calls or visits for older people.
- Other local charities, particularly those that support people with specific conditions, may run schemes near you.
Respite care for the person you care for
Respite care means taking a break from caring, while the person you care for is looked after by someone else on a temporary basis.
Respite could be home care, day care centres and temporary care home stays or staying with a registered Shared Lives carer.
To access this service from the council, the person you care for will need to have their care needs assessed.
Respite services are financially assessed. The amount you will be asked to contribute will be based on what you can afford to pay.