At a Glance:
• Carers First raise awareness of carers’ rights this Carers Rights Day
• Support and resources available for those involved in hospital discharge
• Real experiences highlight why understanding the process matters
Carers First offer resources on the hospital discharge process this Carers Rights Day
This Carers Rights Day, Thursday 20 November, Carers First are raising awareness of the rights of carers, particularly when the person they care for is being discharged from hospital. They have a range of dedicated resources and information to support carers, available here.
If someone you care for has been admitted to hospital, it can be a stressful and emotional time. When the person you care for is ready to leave the hospital, this can mark an important step in their recovery but may also come with its own set of responsibilities and worries.
To help you understand your rights, Carers First have highlighted key resources that are available to you. These resources can assist you in recognising your legal rights and entitlements, enabling you to thrive in your caring role.
Roberta has been a Carers First Trustee for two and a half years, advocating for awareness of carers’ rights. Her story shines a light on those experiences and highlights a need for change in the hospital discharge process for both carers and their cared for.
Roberta cares for her son and her elderly parents. Her mum was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2019, and her dad is frail with COPD (Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).
Like many carers, Roberta had to discover the information and support she could access for both herself and her parents without the help of health and social care professionals.
She said:
“Don’t be afraid to ask, talk to doctors and nurses. Take any help you can get. Know that you might have to ask for it more than once, but keep going. Reach out to Carers First and take that support. It’s about knowing that someone out there sees you, and you are entitled to have a rest.”
Understanding the hospital discharge process and the support available to you as a carer can help you feel more confident and prepared for whatever happens.
If you’re caring for someone and want to explore the support available to you, visit www.carersfirst.org.uk or call our helpline on 0300 303 1555. We’re here for carers across Medway, Lincolnshire, Essex, Southend-on-Sea, and the London Boroughs of Haringey, Waltham Forest, Croydon and Merton — both in person and online.