Carers missing out

The authority is launching a county-wide series of roadshows in a bid tobolster the numbers of carers who are assessed to see how the councilmay be able to help them. This could lead to benefits including paid-for breaks from caring,training courses or equipment to make their lives easier - or they couldbe referred to partner organisations who can offer them support. Cllr Bill Bentley, Lead Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, said:"There are more than 50,000 people in East Sussex who are providing carefor someone and we estimate that hundreds, if not more, are unaware ofthe support we could give them. In fact, many people care for someonefor years without even realising they are a carer and we are keen toidentify more people providing this sort of unpaid care. We want them toknow they are not alone. "There are a number of ways we can help them - both financially and byother support - and we are encouraging anyone who might benefit to cometo one of our roadshows to have a carer's assessment or to book one fora later date. We particularly want to see those members of the publicwho provide unpaid care and support for a family member, neighbour orfriend, who is living at home." The roadshows are being announced today as the county council publishesa draft three year 'commissioning strategy' for carer's services, whichaims to involve carers in decisions about how services are provided. Cllr Bentley added: "Carers provide a truly wonderful service to theirfamily, friends and the community as a whole, by giving up their time tohelp others. We want to make sure that wherever possible we look afterthem, too." East Sussex has the highest proportion of elderly people over 85 in thecountry, and the second highest proportion of those over 65. More thanten per cent of the county's population look after relatives or friendswith physical or mental disabilities or illnesses. And the strain on the carer can have a negative effect on the patient'swell-being. Carer exhaustion has been identified as one factor thatsometimes leads to elderly people having to move into long-termresidential care after admission to hospital rather than being able toreturn home with appropriate support in place. In addition, previous surveys conducted by the county council have shownthat around one in six of the 7,000 older carers who care for more than20 hours per week in East Sussex stated that they were not in goodhealth. Part of the council's Three Year Plan for adult social care is to tacklethese problems by increasing the number of carers who are assessed andincreasing the number who are able to influence how services areprovided. The new commissioning strategy, which has been drafted withthe county council's partners, seeks to develop themes in the plan. The roadshows will enable people to receive an assessment there and thenand to find out what support is on offer. There will be a range oforganisations on hand offering free advice, information and support.Refreshments will be available and there will be an opportunity to meetother carers. The plan is to provide more roadshows throughout nextyear, using different venues, to give as many carers as possible thechance to attend. The first of seven free sessions across the county begins at 10.30am onDecember 1 at Heathfield Community Centre, ending at 3.30pm. There willbe follow-up events at Hastings, Polegate, St Leonards, Newhaven,Bexhill and Eastbourne on December 8. For more information about the roadshows or to book a carer'sassessment, please email Social Care Direct [email protected] or call 0845 608 0191.