Planning for changes and emergencies
As a carer there may be times when you are unable to support the person that you care for. It can help to have a plan for what will happen at those times.
Top tips
Be prepared
Having a plan in place can help ease your worries should you suddenly become unavailable. The Council funds Staffordshire Together for Carers to help carers to create a contingency plan.
Communicate your plan with family, friends and, if appropriate, the person that you care for.
Write your plan down and leave it where it will be found in an emergency. This should include:
- Details of the name and address and any other contact details of the person you look after
- Who you, and the person you look after would like to be contacted in an emergency (this can include friends, family, or professionals)
- Details of any medication the person you look after is taking
- Details of any ongoing treatment or care that they need
Let your GP know that you are a carer
GP practices keep a register of their carers. This may give you access to:
- Flu vaccinations
- Adaptable appointments
- Joint appointments
- Access to social prescribers who can direct you to appropriate community help related to your physical and mental health
Commonly asked questions
- Answer:
The Council funds Staffordshire Together for Carers to help carers to create a contingency plan.
Carers UK – Planning for Emergencies gives some helpful advice about:
- Creating an emergency plan
- Involving others in the plan
- How technology can help
- Emergency 'carer card' schemes
There are also some local schemes that you may find of use:
- The Lions Club’s Message in a Bottle Scheme enables Carers to store medical information and personal details in the home of their cared for person to save the emergency services time if they need to enter the property in an emergency. Carers can request a Message in a Bottle directly from the Lions Club tel: 0121 441 4544.
- My Wishes provide the opportunity for Carers and their cared for person to record and share their future health and social care preferences in case there becomes a time when they are unable to communicate this themselves.
- Answer:
- If you find yourself in an emergency situation, contact Staffordshire Cares on 0300 111 8010 Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Our Staffordshire Cares Team will talk you through the options available to you. If you are dealing with a high risk or urgent situation outside of normal working office hours please contact the emergency duty team on 0345 604 2886.
- Answer:
Staffordshire Together for Carers run regular workshops which cover making a will and lasting power of attorney. You can find out more by contacting the Staffordshire Together for Carers Service on 0300 303 0621.
The Independent Life website has templates around making expressions of wishes and information about advance decisions, as well as information on making a will, power of attorney and funeral planning.
If you would rather talk to someone about this please either:
- If you would like a carers assessment contact our Staffordshire Cares team.
- If you do not want a carers assessment but do want to discuss contingency planning, contact the Staffordshire Together for Carers Service on 0300 303 0621