Don’t forget to look after your own
health
Being a carer can mean your own needs take a back seat at times
but ensuring your own health is in tip top condition is essential
to providing the best care possible.
Tower Hamlets has around 7,300 carers who
provide 20 or more hours of unpaid care a week to family members,
friends or neighbours.
A new project funded by the Department of
Health and managed by Tower Hamlets Council, Tower Hamlets Carers
Centre and NHS Tower Hamlets has been set up to improve the health
and well being of carers.
The project aims to provide regular health
checks and support to carers to access services.
Councillor Dr Anwara Ali, lead member for
Adults, Health and Wellbeing said: “As a carer looking after your
own health should be a number one priority as you will be no use to
anyone if you’re not 100 per cent physically and mentally.”
The health checks are carried out by a team of
nurses based at the Carers Centre in Brayford Square, Stepney, and
includes a confidential check on health and general wellbeing to
find out if carers get a break from caring, are able to do things
they enjoy, feel they are well supported and understand how to
access support services.
The project can cover the cost of a relief
carer to look after the client whilst the carer attends the health
check and an interpreter and transport can also be booked if needed
for an appointment. Alternatively the nurse can visit carers
in their own homes.
Deasiann Williamson, project lead for Health
Checks for Carers said: “We aim to make sure carers feel supported
within their roles and are informed to make decisions about their
own health needs and that of the person to whom they are giving
care.”
The project also hopes to promote
opportunities for better networking with other carers in the
community.
To book a health check call 020 7791 5591 or
020 7791 5590.
5 February 2010