Caring for someone who is older, disabled or seriously ill can have a huge impact on your own life and may mean that you need some extra support or advice. Friday November 24th 2017 is Carers Rights Day, the national initiative to encourage carers in their local community to become more aware of the help and support they are entitled to. Improving Lives Plymouth’s Caring for Carers team are hosting a tea and cakes event at the Copthorne Hotel from 11am - 2pm. Carers and their families visiting the event will be able to relax and have a free hot drink and cake and access free legal, housing, advocacy, mental health and benefits advice . Free taster sessions in hand reflexology, foot massage and nail art will be available throughout the day and there will also be some fabulous prizes in our fundraising raffle. The first 150 visitors will leave with a ‘goodie bag’ courtesy of Wolferstans Solicitors.

If you are a professional who supports carers, or you have just started to look after someone, this event will have many different organisations in attendance to offer support and advice.

This is a drop-in event for any member of the public to attend but if you are a carer and would like to let us know you will be attending please contact Caring for Carers on 01752 201890

or email caringforcarers@improvinglivesplymouth.org.uk

Caring for Carers have a brand new Carers Card. If you are a carer who has registered with us to receive a newsletter your new card will be sent to you with this edition of the newsletter. If you are reading the newsletter and are a carer but have not registered with us please contact us on 01752 201890 to register and receive your all new carers card. The carers’ card is free and available for Carers, aged 18 or over, who provide care for a Plymouth resident, of any age. The Carers’ Card offers discounts on a range of activities across the city to help you to look after your own health and well being because if you look after someone, it’s important to look after yourself too. For more information on the range of offers and for full terms and conditions please visit www.improvinglivesplymouth.org.uk/our-services/caring-for-carers/cfc-carers-card

We are always looking for local businesses and individuals who may be willing to offer discounts/concessions on their products and services to carers; a great way to support local carers and local businesses. For further information, please email caringforcarers@improvinglivesplymouth.org.uk

Caring for Carers

Newsletter

October 2017 Issue 15

Friday November 24th 2017

The Caring for Carers Facebook page has moved. To continue to get up-to-date information for carers and much more please like the Improving Lives Plymouth page on www.facebook.com/improvinglivesplymouth/

https://www.carersuk.org/news-and-campaigns/carers-rights-dayhttps://wolferstans.com/mailto:caringforcarers@improvinglivesplymouth.org.ukmailto:caringforcarers@improvinglivesplymouth.org.ukhttp://www.improvinglivesplymouth.org.uk/our-services/caring-for-carers/cfc-carers-cardhttp://www.improvinglivesplymouth.org.uk/our-services/caring-for-carers/cfc-carers-cardmailto:carerscard@improvinglivesplymouth.org.uk.http://www.facebook.com/improvinglivesplymouth/

Meetup.com offers a way for

people who have something in

common to get together. It's free

to set up an account and join existing groups. Search for

interests either by keyword or browse different categories

(for example book clubs, walking groups, theatre-going)

and join as many as you want. Once you do, you'll get

notified by email about scheduled meets, and can

exchange messages with other members of the group

Are you missing out on Welfare Benefits? Advice Plymouth provides information, advice and casework support on a wide range of issues including debt, relationship breakdown, employment rights and benefits support. Last year our team

helped people access over 5 million pounds of benefits. One of the range of benefits we support people with are Tax credits. Between September 2016 and April 2017 alone we helped people access £557,730.

We believe by supporting people legitimately claiming benefits that they are entitled to we maximise family incomes and reduce poverty levels in our city. Changes in circumstances, such as the birth of a child, losing a job, a family bereavement, becoming a carer, or having an illness, can often change people’s entitlements so it’s important that people are aware of the support available.

The benefits system is complex, and people don’t always know what they can apply for or how to go about it. Our advisors can undertake benefit checks to see that people are getting all the help they are entitled to. This highlights the need for face to face advice to help families to access the relevant benefits they may be entitled to and to manage their existing claims.

Our Benefit Caseworkers based at Ernest English House Buckwell Street, help people assess their individual situation, identify what Welfare support they may be entitled to, support people with claiming, complete better off assessments for returning to work or changing jobs, undertake mandatory reconsiderations, appeals and annual declarations for Tax Credits. Our team undertake checks to assess entitlement to a wide range of Welfare Benefits such as Tax Credits, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Support, Income Support, Jobseekers’ Al-lowance, Employment and Support Allowance, Carers Allow-ance, Universal Credit and Maternity Benefits and Grants.

To access Advice Plymouth either attend our Drop In service at

Ernest English House, Buckwell Street, Plymouth, PL1 2DA or

call 03444 111 444 between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday.

My Life as a Carer I would like to share my life as Carer for my 32-year-old daughter who has Huntington's, which is a hereditary disorder of the central nervous system. I have been her main carer for the last 2 years and it's not been easy.

She has many needs and requires support with daily and personal needs, I am 55 and finding it hard to support these needs both physically and mentally myself these days.

It's so hard to watch your loved one slowly taken bit by bit from you, but we do it simply because we love them.

Help from professionals is out there but we need to fight the system to get those needs met, and then there's the problem of my daughter refusing the help and support when offered due to the effects of the disease.

Many times I've wanted to run away from the person my daughter has become but as a Mother I cannot, so I stay I do the best I can to allow her some independence in her life.

She has a son who's 10 and lives with another family member and this is a balancing act, trying to be there for them both in different ways, but I do.

I know one day soon I will need to accept that she will need to go into a care home of some kind and that things will get much worse very soon. But while there is still breath in me I will carry on doing my best.

I'm saying this hoping that others carers out there can know they are not alone and there is help and support out there, you just need to ask/ shout that you need it ,we all do. Jackie (Carer/ mother).

https://www.meetup.com/https://www.meetup.com/http://www.adviceplymouth.org.uk/

Why you really should make a Lasting Power of Attorney (“LPA”) by Simon Stevenson Partner and Solicitor at Thompson & Jackson Solicitors LLP

More and more people are living longer than ever before, but with the benefit that this brings there is also the real risk that as you become older you may become physically or mentally infirm increas-

ing the likelihood that you may need help with matters relating to your finances, health care and welfare. These are not just issues for people in their later years to be concerned about. There are many sad instances where young adults have also lost mental capacity through accidents or illness. A LPA made whilst you are mentally capable can help with such issues if and when they arise. Sadly we find that many people do not make LPAs at all or leave it until it is too late to do so. In this article I have provided some examples of what can go wrong when an LPA has not been made. In order to preserve client confidentiality, names and details have been anonymised.

The Elderly Married Couple Jane lives at home with her husband Brian. They have one adult daughter Wendy to whom they are very close. Jane had always wanted to live in her own home with her husband for as long as possible. After Jane suffered a sudden unexpected illness it was considered that Jane was no longer mentally capable of deciding whether she should remain in her own home or go into a care home. Jane had not made a Health and Welfare LPA and as a result Social Services decided that Jane should go into a care home rather than remain in her own home with a support package in place. If Jane had made a Health and Welfare LPA whilst she was mentally capable appointing her husband and daughter to be her attorneys then they (rather than Social Services) would have had the power to take the decision as to whether it was in Jane’s best interests to stay in her own home or not. Without the Health and Welfare LPA the husband and daughter had no legal entitlement to make that decision.

The Middle Aged Married Couple Richard had an unexpected and sudden illness resulting in him permanently losing mental capacity to deal with his property and financial affairs. Richard was forced to move into a care home on a permanent basis. Richard and his wife Alison jointly owned their home. Prior to his illness Richard and Alison had been planning to sell their home and move to a smaller more manageable home nearer to their children. Neither Richard nor Alison had made LPAs. As Richard no longer had mental capacity to sign the legal paperwork to enable the sale and purchase to proceed, two applications to the Court of Protection had to be made, firstly to enable the sale and purchase to proceed, and secondly to have both Alison and Richard’s children appointed as his Deputies. These Court applications took many months and with court fees, medical report fees etc. the costs were very expensive. In the meantime, pending the Court Orders being made, Alison could not proceed with her move and what with the sudden deterioration in her husband’s health and the various legal hoops to be jumped through this understandably caused her considerable stress. Had Richard made a Property and Financial Affairs LPA whilst he was mentally capable there would have been no need to apply to the court at all and Richard’s attorneys could have signed all the legal paperwork for the sale and purchase enabling Alison to move when she and Richard had originally intended and without all the additional expense and delay. Alison has now made both a Property and Financial Affairs LPA and a Health and Welfare LPA as the last thing she wants is for these problems to arise again should her health decline in the future.

The Business Man Peter (aged 36) ran his own business. Peter had a car accident leaving him in a coma. No longer able to manage his own affairs, his family needed access to Peter’s business and private accounts in order to keep the business running. They were unable to do so as Peter had not made a Property and Financial Affairs LPA. His family therefore had no ability to access these accounts or run his business for him. Thankfully Peter made a quick recovery and regained mental capacity within a relatively short time but had he not done so then his business would probably have not survived. If Peter hadn’t regained capacity so quickly then one of his relatives would have had no alternative but to apply to the Court of Protection for a Deputyship Order (a very expensive process) to enable them to deal with Peter’s business and personal finances. An application of this type often takes six to eight months to complete. During this time, no one else would have been able to run the business, pay employees, deal with contracts etc., resulting most likely in the business failing, with catastrophic consequences for Peter, his family and employees.

We assist and advise many clients about making LPAs and in particular the pitfalls that may otherwise befall those people who make them without having first obtained proper legal advice. If you would like to make a LPA, or receive further advice, then please contact one of our specialist Solicitors for the Elderly accredited lawyers on 01752 665037. Thompson & Jackson Solicitors are delighted to be members of the Carers Card Discount Scheme. In many cases we are also able to offer home visits. Thompson & Jackson Solicitors LLP are authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority No: 629073

http://www.thompsonandjackson.co.uk/

Music sessions = happy car-

ers at Plymouth Music Zone!

We’re hearing fantastic reports

from

everyone attending Plymouth Music Zone’s

weekly music-making and singing sessions

for carers! Different sessions to suit

everyone, either with or without the person

you care for and no experience is

necessary.

‘Carefree Choir’ (Wednesdays 1.30 – 2.30)

For adult carers to come along without those

they care for, providing a little breathing

space but loads of fun singing and spending

time with others in a similar situation. Some

of the things people have said about Care-

free Choir …

“Wednesday Singing Group is wonderful.

Makes my heart sing!”

“I have a great time, good company. Help

with breathing and dexterity. I have MS and

this is really helpful. I always feel good when

I leave”.

“Fun and uplifting session. A chance to

leave real life behind for an hour”

“A time of music and fun, with new friend-

ships being made. Please come and join

us!”

‘Sharing and Caring’

(Tuesdays 10.30 – 11.30) – A really fun,

often quite whacky session for carers who’d

like a little time out, singing and

creatively making all sorts of music! What

people say about Sharing and Caring …

“Love PMZ so much – Quickest hour or the

week!”

“Music at the PMZ makes everybody VERY

happy!”

“Love PMZ, Debbie & Steve so much fun! So

so happy to be here, thank you. Xxx”

If you’re interested in finding out more

please contact PMZ on 01752 213690 or

email info@plymouthmusiczoneorg.uk

Sessions are held at their centre on Raglan

Road, Devonport, PL1 4NQ.

Join us to celebrate Christmas with a 3 course meal at the Copthorne Hotel on Friday 8th December from

12.00pm - 3.00pm. Tickets are £10 each (non refundable) and can be purchased by contacting Caring for Carers on 01752 201890. Please ensure

that you have made your menu choices from the menu below before you call. Tickets sell very quickly so please call in time to make sure you get a place. Closing date to purchase tickets is Friday 10th

November 2017. This event is for Carers and the person they care for 18+ only. There will also be some great prizes to win in the raffle which will be drawn on

the day

Stay in contact with people using video chats and webcams

Most computers and tablets have a webcam built in; if you have an internet connection, all you need to do is download a simple program like FaceTime or Skype and you’ll have everything you need to chat by video. Video chats are a great way to cross the miles between family members, and, if you are looking after someone they can help you keep visual track of any physical changes to your loved one.

mailto:info@plymouthmusiczoneorg.ukhttp://www.apple.com/ios/facetime/http://www.skype.com/en/

Event and activity policy - Unless otherwise stated, all events and activities must be booked in advance. Please ring 01752 201890 to book you place. Some events require a non-refundable contribution, payable at time of booking to secure your place. If an event or activity is over-subscribed we will give priority to:

1. New Carers who have been in contact with us for under 12 months 2. Carers who have not accessed an activity for some time 3. Carers and Former Carers who it is felt will benefit from this activity

Activities for Carers

Wednesday 15th November 2017 - Pottery Workshop 10am – 1pm at Hands2gether Pottery Studio Unit 90 – 92 Christian Mill Business Park, Tamerton Foliot Road, Crownhill, Plymouth, PL6 5DS (Refreshments are provided). A £5.00 non refundable contribution is required. This is for carers and the person they care for.

Friday 1st and Tuesday 5th December 2017- Christmas Wreath Making - Spend a couple of hrs having fun, creating your own bespoke Christmas door wreath in a relaxed and informal setting. Demonstration and tui-tion given by Emma Brinsden Florist at her studio at 8 Skylark Rise, Woolwell, Plymouth, PL6 7SN. All materials included but, feel free to bring your own apron, secateurs and scissors if you prefer. Refreshments will be provided. A £5.00 non refundable contribution is required. This is for carers only.

Friday 8th December 2017– Join us with the person you care for 18+ only (if you wish) to celebrate Christmas with a 3 course meal at the Copthorne Hotel from 12 Noon until 3.00pm.There will also be some great prizes to win in the raffle which will be drawn on the day. A £10 non refundable contribution is required. This is for carers and the person they care for.

Thursday 18th January 2018 - Hairspray in the Lyric at the Theatre Royal - It’s Baltimore, 1962 where Tracy Turnblad, a big girl with big hair and an even bigger heart, is on a mission to follow her dreams and dance her way onto national TV. Tracy’s audition makes her a local star and soon she is using her new-found fame to fight for equality, bagging local heartthrob Link Larkin along the way! The show starts at 2.30pm and we will meet in the foyer at 2.00pm. A £10.00 non refundable contribution is required. This is for carers only

Thursday 8th February 2018 - 2 course lunch and a soft drink at the Barbican Pasta Bar,40 Southside Street, Plymouth, PL1 2LE. 12.00pm - 2.00pm. A £5.00 non refundable contribution is required. This is for carers and the person they care for.

Free training for Carers held at Improving Lives Plymouth, 156 Mannamead Road, PL3 5QL

To book on to any of these workshops please call Caring for Carers on 01752 201890 or E-mail caringforcarers@improvinglivesplymouth.org.uk

Mindfulness Workshop – Monday 27th November 10.30am - 12.00pm. When we are stressed, anxious or feeling low our thoughts, troubles and worries can often add to our problems. Mindfulness practice can help people develop the ability to deal with life’s pressures and is a form of self-awareness training that helps people get to know themselves more fully, think more clearly and in the present moment. The workshop is run by Plymouth Options and refreshments are provided.

Dementia Insight Workshops – Caring for Carers run free dementia insight workshops for any carer who is supporting someone who has dementia. Once you have attended this workshop you will have a simple awareness of how dementia affects the brain, be able to communicate more effectively with relatives, carers and professionals, Identify changing behaviour and recognise some of the reasons for behaviour changes, recognise simple changes that can enhance both the carer’s and cared for’s well-being and have explored self-care and why it is important. Workshops for 2017/18 run on Thursday 16th November and Friday 19th January from 10.00am – 3.00pm. A light lunch and refreshments are provided.

Trip to Paignton was a great success! Thank you to Sarah, Debs and Anne-Marie for

making it a great day…. Caring for Carers days out are a great way

to relax and spend some time with other Carers. Maybe we will see you on the next

trip?

mailto:caringforcarers@improvinglivesplymouth.org.uk

Carer’s Drop-in/Support groups led by Caring for Carers

Caring can be very isolating and our carers drop-in support groups are intended to be a venue in which carers can meet with other carers, gain support, gather information and seek advice as well as having time away from their caring role. There is a Carers Support Coordinator present at every meeting as there may be times when you want to talk to someone who understands the pressures of being a carer or you may want practical advice or support to help you cope. Tea, coffee, biscuits and a friendly face will always be available for anyone who needs information, emotional or practical support, or simply feels the need to have a chat.

Dementia Carers Drop-in - held at 156 Mannamead Road, PL3 5QL on a Tuesday from 10.00am – 12.00pm. 2017/18 dates are 14th November, 12th December, 9th January and 13th February. The person you care for can also attend and be supported by Memory Matters Activity Workers in a different room. For further information please call Deborah Atter on 01752 201890

Drop-in support group for carers supporting someone with a learning disability - held at 156 Mannamead Road, Plymouth, PL3 5QL on the 1st Tuesday of the month from 10.00am-12.00pm. 2017/18 dates are 7th November, 5th December, 2nd January and 6th February. For further information please call Sarah Austin on 01752 256020

Drop-in support group for carers - held at Colwill Lodge Leypark Walk, Estover, Plymouth, PL6 8UE on the 2nd Wednesday of the month from 10.00am - 12.00pm. 2017/18 dates are 8th November, 13th December, 10th January and 14th February. For further information please call Sarah Austin on 01752 256020.

Drop-in support group for carers and the person they care for - held at St Marys Church Hall, Market Road, Plympton, Plymouth,PL7 1QW on the 1st and 3rd Monday of the month (excluding bank holidays) from 2.00pm - 4.00pm. 2017/18 dates are 6th & 20th November, 4th & 18th December, 15th January and 5th & 19th February. For further information please call Deborah Atter on 01752 201890

Drop-in support group for carers - held at Ernest English House, Buckwell Street, Plymouth, PL1 2DA every other Wednesday 10.30am -12.30pm.2017/18 dates are 1st & 15th November, 6th & 20th December, 3rd & 17th January and 7th and 21st February. For further information please call Bev Watters on 01752 201890.

Drop-in support group for carers - held on the last Tuesday of the month at St Budeaux Community Cen-tre, Wolseley Road, Plymouth, PL51UD from 10.00am -12.00pm. 2017/18 dates are 31st October, 28th November, 29th January and 26th February. For further information please call John McKenna on 01752 256020.

Drop-in support group for Carers - held at Age UK Plymouth, 8 Memory Lane, Plymouth PL9 9GH on the 2nd Friday of the month from 10.00am -12.00pm. 2017/18 dates are 10th November, 8th December, 12th January and 9th February. For further information please call Bev Watters on 01752 201890.

Drop-in support group for carers - held at North Prospect Library, 163 North Prospect Rd, Plymouth PL2 2NE on the 3rd Wednesday of the month from 1.00pm -3.00pm. 2017/18 dates are 15th November, 20th December, 17th January and 21st February. For further information please call Sarah Austin on 01752 256020.

Drop-in support group for Male carers - held at 156 Mannamead Road, PL3 5QL every other Friday from 10.00am – 12.00pm. 2017/18 dates are 3rd & 17th November, 1st & 15th December, 12th & 26th January and 9th & 23rd February. For further information please call John McKenna on 01752 256020.

Are you caring for an Aged Veteran (65+), or are you yourself an Aged Veteran and looking after someone? We can support you to get access to the information and advice you need. We can offer one to one support and information to support you. For further information please contact Anne-Marie Watts on 01752 201890 or email agedveterans@improvinglivesplymouth.org.uk

Other Carers Groups:

Mental Health Carers drop-in support groups - at William Sutton Village Hall, 31 Miles Mitchell Avenue, Crownhill, Plymouth, PL6 5LY. The morning session runs on the second Thursday of the month from 10.30am – 12.30pm and the evening session runs on the fourth Thursday of the month from 6.00pm – 8.00pm. If you would like more information please contact Helen Fellows on 01752 211243 or email okproject@colebrooksw.org

Ex-carers group - Currently runs on the 2nd Thursday of each month from 2.30pm – 4.00pm at Stoke Library, 21 Albert Road, Stoke, PL1 2AB and with effect from May we will also be running on the 4th Friday of each month from 10.30am – 12.00pm at the Scope Offices, 75-77 Cornwall Street, Plymouth PL1 1LR This group is open to anyone who is no longer undertaking a caring role, this could be due to bereavement, their loved one moving into another care environment, or just moving away. Caring is something which can take a large amount of your time and often carers don’t know where to turn when this comes to an end. We are here to help you find yourself again and help you with the next phase of your life. If you would like to find out more about our group please contact Helen on 01752 211243 or email okproject@colebrooksw.org

Carers for Carers Ukulele Group - A great opportunity to de-stress and build your confidence, whilst having fun and learning a new skill with like minded people. We provide ukuleles for you to use whilst at the workshop so that you can decide if it’s for you before buying your own. All workshops are on a Monday from 10.00am – 12.00pm and are held at 156 Mannamead Road, Plymouth, Devon, PL3 5QL. Dates coming up are: 23rd October,6th & 20th November, 4th & 18th December, 8th & 22nd January and 5th & 19th February. For further information please contact us at Caring for Carers on 01752 201890 or email caringforcarers@improvinglivesplymouth.org.uk

Carers Creative Writing Group - A friendly group that focuses on writing poems and short stories. The people who attend support one another in their writing and are encouraged to read out their work. It can also be emotional, cathartic and healing. There’s plenty of laughter too. So, if you love writing, whatever your standard, come and join us,. You’ll be made very welcome. We meet one Wednesday a month from 10.30am until 12.30pm at the Mannamead Centre, 156 Mannamead Road, Plymouth, PL3 5QL. 2017/18 dates are:15th November, 13th December, 10th January and 14th February. For further information please contact John McKenna on 01752 256020.

mailto:caringforcarers@improvinglivesplymouth.org.uk

Working in

partnership

with

Disclaimer: We reserve the right to select & edit articles submitted. The opinions expressed in this newsletter do not necessarily represent those of Caring for Carers. Although we do our best to ensure information is accurate, we are not liable for any incorrect information or errors contained within

This is something I found in my Mums purse after she passed away back in 1990. I now

carry it everywhere with me in my purse. It is so true, we have 2 daughters and it certainly applies

to them now! - Jenny Sargent (Carer)

To a Daughter

Life is a mystery or so we are told Born out of love, we die when we’re old

But you are the daughter I’ve loved through the years

Sharing your happiness, calming your fears And now that I’m older, not fit as can be

The care that I gave you, you now give to me So how did that happen, when did the day become

That I became daughter and you became Mum

I suppose it could also apply to a Son?! For me it is very poignant and I treasure it.

Sign up to GP online services and you'll be able to use a website or app to:

• book or cancel appointments online with a GP or nurse

• order repeat prescriptions online

• view parts of your GP record, including information about medication, allergies, vaccinations, previous

illnesses and test results

• view clinical correspondence such as hospital discharge summaries, outpatient appointment letter and referral letters

To find out more visit www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/AboutNHSservices/doctors/Pages/gp-online-services.aspx

http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/AboutNHSservices/doctors/Pages/gp-online-services.aspxhttp://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/AboutNHSservices/doctors/Pages/gp-online-services.aspx