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Llesiant Delta Wellbeing’s Managing Director Samantha Watkins talks about the support that is available to carers.

Figures show that there are 370,000 carers across Wales who provide unpaid care and support to a loved one who is older, disabled or seriously ill. In fact, Wales has the highest proportion of carers in the UK, many of whom provide more than 50 hours of care a week. And this number will continue to rise. It is estimated that by 2037 there will be over half a million carers in Wales, that’s an increase of 40%. 

Being a carer can be extremely rewarding, being there for your loved one when they need you the most and spending precious time together; but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. As a carer myself, I know how challenging and demanding it can be at times. You have good days and bad days, lots of ups and downs, it’s a real rollercoaster of emotions, and you are often stretched to the limit juggling care with work and family and other commitments.

Being a carer has a huge impact on our lives, whether it is for a few hours a week or around-the-clock-care, it could be caring for someone in your own home, or maybe you have to travel an hour’s round trip in the car, whatever your circumstances, it can be difficult and sometimes lonely, and unfortunately many people don’t know how or where to get help. 

 

Help and support 

But you are not on your own, and there is lots of help and support available. It’s important that you understand your rights and are able to access the support that is available to you as soon as you need it. 

Here at Delta Wellbeing, our team of specialist wellbeing advisors can give you the information, advice and assistance you need to support you and the safety and wellbeing of the person you are caring for. Social Care departments have a duty to inform carers of their right to a Carers Support Needs Assessment and to provide that assessment. We provide this service on behalf of Carmarthenshire County Council.  

Our team will ask you what’s important to the person you are caring for and to you, to help us understand the situation and put together a bespoke package of practical advice and technology that will best meet your needs. It could include: 

  • A dedicated support worker 
  • Additional support for the person being cared for 
  • Emotional and practical support 
  • Signposting to relevant services and carer groups 
  • Provision of advice and information 
  • Access to a Carers Emergency Card 
  • Possible access to a Carers Flexible Support Grant 
  • Receive a Carers Information pack and regular newsletter

 

Assistive technology 

We also have a range of technology enabled care products that can help make it easier to look after someone else. We offer solutions that work both inside and outside the home, using a variety of proven and discreet technology.  

Our lifeline alarm is one of our most popular services and is likely to be the best place to start. If your loved one feels unwell, suffer a fall or needs other support, they can touch a button on a wristband or pendant to raise the alarm. This alerts a member of our 24/7 monitoring team, who will help you by assessing the situation and taking appropriate action; such as contacting a family member, or emergency services. Our wellbeing advisors always stay on the line until help has been arranged.  

This is peace of mind for you and for your loved one, knowing they still have help at hand if for whatever reason you are not around. For me personally, it’s been a lifeline not only for the person I’m caring for, but for the whole family, knowing that there is help and support available 24-hours-a-day, 365 days of the year.

Our key aim at Delta Wellbeing is to help and support people to live independently at home for as long as possible.

For further information or advice, please call one of our specially trained advisors on 0300 333 2222.