Carer's checklist

Whether you've just started looking after a loved one or have been supporting someone for a while, this checklist will help you get the support and information you need.

Thinking about your wellbeing

Get a carer's assessment with your local council

A carer's assessment will help you find out what you need and what could help you with your caring role. Some of the outcomes could be:

• respite care
• information about local support groups for carers
• help with caring
• equipment that would make your life easier as a carer.

Find out more about the carer's assessment

Register as a carer with your GP

Let your doctor know that you're caring for someone, as you may be entitled to additional health services such as a free flu jab. Caring is hard, so it's important they know and can look out for your health, as well as offer you advice and support.

Make time for yourself and your interests as often as you can

When you're caring for someone else, your own interests and hobbies can often take a back seat. Although it can be hard to carve out time, it's so important that you still do the things that make you feel like you.

Are there any friends or family who could support you for an hour, or any local day centres that could give you a bit of a break every week? That could be through a charity that supports people with specific conditions, or an Age UK day centre.

Take a break from caring

You wouldn't work an office job for a full year without any holiday, and caring should be no different.

Even if you can't afford it on your own, there may be support available to help you with respite care.

Find out more about respite care

Thinking about your money

Apply for Carer's Allowance

Carer's Allowance is a payment of £69.70 a week to spend as you wish. If you care for someone at least 35 hours a week and earn less than £132 a week, you may be eligible.

Find out more about Carer's Allowance

Check whether you're entitled to other financial support

You can find out whether you're claiming everything you're entitled to by using our online benefits calculator.

Thinking about your work

Tell your employer about your caring responsibilities

Balancing work and caring can be really tiring and stressful. This is why it's important to tell your employer about your caring responsibilities, because they may start to affect your productivity at work. If your employer knows, they may be able to help you deal with the stress, and they'll understand if you need to take days off at the last minute too.

Think about asking for flexible working

If at some point balancing work and caring becomes too much, you could ask your employer about opportunities for flexible working. This could mean working from home a few days a week or starting and finishing work at an earlier time.

You have certain rights as a carer, like the right to time off in an emergency, and the right to request flexible working.

Find out more about balancing work and caring

Thinking about the person you care for

Make sure they have a care needs assessment

If you have the permission of the person you care for, get in touch with your local council to ask for a care needs assessment.

A social care professional will assess how they manage everyday tasks and what they want to achieve. The professional will look at the person's needs and consider what care and support could be useful.

Find out how to arrange a care needs assessment

Help them complete a benefits check

The person you care for may be entitled to different benefits than you. They can use our benefits calculator to find out what to apply for.

If they're entitled to benefits they're not currently claiming, you may be able to help with the application forms. But if you're struggling, your local Age UK may be able to help the person you care for to apply.

Consider if home adaptations would help them

There are changes you can make in your home to make life with a long-term condition or disability a lot easier, from simple, practical tips, to useful technology and larger adaptations. These adaptations could allow the person you care for to stay happy, healthy and comfortable at home.

Find out more about home adaptations that can simplify your daily life

Think about the future

Although it can be difficult, it's useful for the person you care for to think about the future and getting their affairs in order. It may be useful to think about their future care needs, their preferences, powers of attorney and whether their will is up to date.

Find out more about legal issues like making a will and powers of attorney