How can you help carers?

Ask them how their care role is affecting them.

Bear in mind that the patient/client living with respiratory illness may have complex needs. Equally, their carers needs may be complex too but for different reasons.

Every carer is entitled to a Carer Assessment of their own needs from their local authority:

Many carers don’t know what help is available. Make yourself aware of the local and national carers organisations, what they can offer and how to refer to them.

Share decision making. Try to ask the patient/client for their permission to include their carer in decision making about treatment and care needs.

When the patient/client has their flu vaccination, their carer should be advised to have one as well.