Carers in Bridgend County Borough

Carers

These days we can expect to live longer. In the Bridgend, women live on average to the age of 79.6, while men live to 75.6. However, whilst the older generation can, on the whole, look forward to longer years of good health than before, three-quarters of people aged 65 and over report living with a major illness. As we age, and therefore become more susceptible to ill health and more likely to rely on family, friends and neighbours to help with day to day activities.

A carer is someone who supports a relative, partner or friend who cannot manage on their own. Many people associate a carer as someone who may live with the person they care for. However, ,many people look after someone who lives independently, in supported accommodation, in hospital, residential or nursing homes. A carer can be a person of any age who provides substantial care to support a relative, partner or friend and the care they provide is unpaid.

Watching a loved one affected by illness can be a stressful, not to mention upsetting time. From the day-to-day concerns such as whether or not the one you care for has remembered to take their medicine, to the bigger issues like whether or not you should bring elderly parents to live with you or if a nursing home would be better, the challenges posed by caring for older people can be some of the toughest you've faced.

However, there is a wealth of support on hand:-

There is a Carers Forum within Bridgend County Borough Council which offers help, advice and support to carers of all ages.

Bridgend County Borough website pages explain where you can get help if you care for someone or you need care yourself, gives details of the financial help which may be available to you and lists news and events relating to carers. If you need to talk to someone about what help maybe available to you or someone you care for – telephone (01656) 642200

Alternatively you can contact Bridgend Carers Centre on (01656) 658479