Penrith: 01768 890280 Carlisle: 01228 580214

4. How to Identify if Someone is a Carer

How to identify if someone, perhaps unknowingly, is a Carer?
Do you feel like you could recognise the signs that someone might be a Carer?
What sort of little things would you look out for?

Adult Carers

Adult Carers might show the following signs:

Isolation – not going out much when previously active
Not looking after their health, failing to make or keep GP/hospital appointments
Losing touch with friends and family
Conversation may be totally focused on the person they are caring for
Their home and garden isn’t maintained as well as it used to be
Being late for work, frequent absences from work or giving up work completely
Having to leave early for appointments/emergencies, saying no to invitations
Being defensive, angry or impatient
Not eating properly – losing weight or gaining weight
Not engaging in previous hobbies or interests
Giving up education, social groups or volunteering
Looking tired, or falling asleep when at work
Lack of concentration, being tearful or emotional
Struggling to look after children or grandchildren

Many of these signs can also be displayed in someone with a mental health problem such as anxiety or depression and it is always good practice to encourage anyone displaying these signs to visit their GP.

Young Carers

Young Carers might be identified from the following signs:

Arriving late or missing school
Lack of time to complete homework tasks
Lack of concentration, or tiredness
Low self-esteem
Poor physical or emotional wellbeing
Secretive about home life
Outbursts or amplified responses to events due to the emotional strain
Poor presentation
A need or desire to be in regular contact with the person they care for

Hidden Carers

Some Carers choose to remain hidden; others may not identify themselves as Carers and therefore do not seek support and information that would benefit them. Some may not need or choose to seek support, whilst others do not know what support and information is available to them in relation to their caring role. It can be difficult to identify individual hidden carers in some specific groups for example carers;

from ethnic minority backgrounds
who look after someone with a drug or alcohol problem
who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender
who have mental health problems

What should you do if you believe that someone is performing a caring role?

Ask if they are aware that they are a Carer
Ask whether they know there is support available to help them
Ask have they had or would like a Carers Needs Assessment?
Explain how a Carers Needs Assessment would support them
Give information, including leaflets or contact numbers, for Carer Support Organisations
Ask if they would like you to contact the local Carer Support Organisation on their behalf, and explain that they will then ring the Carer back

The Office, Mardale Road, Penrith, CA11 9EH Telephone: 01768 890280 Moorhouse Courtyard, Warwick–on-Eden, CA4 8PA Telephone: 01228 580214

When we support a Carer we will hold information. To view our Policy Statement about what data we collect & how it is stored please read our Privacy Policy. For information on how we collect personal information about you, how we use it and how you can interact with us about it please read our Data Protection Notice.

Support