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Help & advice for carers

If you look after a partner, relative or friend who's disabled or ill due to physical or mental health, you're a carer – even if you don’t think of yourself as one. Below you'll find emotional and practical help, as well as advice on what financial support is available to you. What do you need help with?

  • Carer's Assessment

    If you’re a carer, a good first step is to arrange a carer’s assessment with your local council.

  • Financial support for carers

    You may be eligible for financial support, including Carer’s Allowance or Carer’s Credit.

  • Carer's checklist

    Use this checklist to help find the support and information you need.

  • Balancing work and caring

    Learn about your rights at work and the options available to help you balance your job with your caring role.

  • Dementia and care

    Caring for someone living with dementia can bring specific challenges. We offer information and advice to support you.

  • Respite care

    It’s important to have a break from caring if you need one – the services that enable you to do this are known as respite care.

  • Looking after yourself

    Caring can take its toll over time. It’s important to look after your own wellbeing as well as the person you care for.

  • Your role has changed or ended

    We can support you through emotional, practical, and financial changes when your caring role changes or ends.

Looking for information and advice for an older person you know?

We have information and advice on a range of other topics – from money and pensions to housing, health services and scams.

Find out more

'Do seek help. Do accept it's stressful'

Caroline Abrahams, Age UK Charity Director, talks about her experiences of looking after a relative.

Looking after yourself

When you’re caring for someone it’s easy to overlook your own needs. But looking after yourself is important and can help you manage better with your caring role.

Advice for carers information guide (PDF, 3 MB)

We're here to help

We offer support through our free Advice Line. Lines are open 8am-7pm, 365 days a year. We also have specialist advisers at over 120 local Age UKs. You can contact us on 0800 678 1602.

We work with Wordskii to offer free interpreted calls. Visit the Wordskii website and select the language you would like to take the call in from the menu at the top right of the screen. This will tell you the best number to call.

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