Help is available and can be accessed through a carer's assessment

More than 38,000 people of all ages in Edinburgh spend their lives caring for someone else.

These carers are unpaid and their numbers are growing all the time.

They help and support a relative, friend or neighbour who cannot manage on their own because of frailty, illness, disability or addiction.

Caring for someone can be a 24-hour, seven-days-a-week role, and carers often struggle to manage other responsibilities.

However, help is available and can be accessed through a carer’s assessment.

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There are two main types of assessments available – the new Carer’s Self-Assessment and the Full Carer’s Assessment.

Olive Mullen cared for her husband, Peter, for four years before he passed away. She received a carer’s assessment and this led to respite care for Peter which gave Olive a much needed break from caring.

“When I started caring for Peter I thought I could cope on my own but it became too much for me.

“The assessment was extremely useful as I knew nothing about the kind of support I could receive.”

“A social worker came to my home and went through everything with me and helped me fill in the forms.”

Olive now volunteers with VOCAL, a Lothian-based carers’ organisation.

For more information or if you would like to request a Carer’s Assessment please contact Social Care Direct on 0131 200 2324, or alternatively,you can e-mail: socialcaredirect@edinburgh.gov.uk