Care for the Carers, the East Sussex carers centre, is encouraging all carers to understand their rights as part of Carers Rights Day on Thursday (November 21).
A carer is anyone who looks after someone who couldn’t manage without their help.
You could be a friend, family member or neighbour who due to illness, disability, mental ill health, or an addiction could not cope without your support.
Two out of three of us will become a carer at some point in our lives.
It can happen at any time, to anyone, can take many different forms, and it can have a huge impact on a person’s life.
Over half (55%) of unpaid carers looking after a family member or friend take a year or more to realise they are caring.
Over a third take over three years to recognise their caring role*, and as a result, 46% miss out on essential financial support and 36% on practical support**.
This can include key statutory rights such as flexible working, being identified as a carer by your GP, the right to a Carers Assessment, and being consulted on hospital discharge.
There are thousands of carers in the county who could be missing out on these rights because they don’t know they are available to them.
If someone who is cared for is being discharged from hospital, the hospital must identify and consult with the person's carer, where possible.
The reality is that carers are often overlooked in the hospital setting.
A carer knowing that they have the right to be consulted could help to ensure that the discharge is safe for both the cared for person and the carer.
The East Sussex Hospital Project at Care for the Carers can provide advice and support that can help carers to speak to hospital staff and be aware of their rights. This can help to make discharge safe for the carer and the person they care for.
Jennifer Twist, Chief Executive of Care for the Carers says:
“You may be new to caring for someone or may have been a carer for years – we are here to offer support to everyone.
"We want carers to know that they are not alone, that they have rights and that there is help available.
"We are asking everyone in East Sussex to help raise awareness of Carers Rights Day and spread the word, so that no one is left to care alone.”
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