The authority is launching a county-wide series of roadshows in a bid to bolster the numbers of carers who are assessed to see how the council may be able to help them.
This could lead to benefits including paid-for breaks from caring, training courses or equipment to make their lives easier – or they could be referred to partner organisations who can offer them support.
Cllr Bill Bentley, Lead Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, said: "There are more than 50,000 people in East Sussex who are providing care for someone and we estimate that hundreds, if not more, are unaware of the support we could give them. In fact, many people care for someone for years without even realising they are a carer and we are keen to identify more people providing this sort of unpaid care. We want them to know they are not alone.
"There are a number of ways we can help them – both financially and by other support – and we are encouraging anyone who might benefit to come to one of our roadshows to have a carer's assessment or to book one for a later date. We particularly want to see those members of the public who provide unpaid care and support for a family member, neighbour or friend, who is living at home."
The roadshows are being announced today as the county council publishes a draft three year 'commissioning strategy' for carer's services, which aims to involve carers in decisions about how services are provided.
Cllr Bentley added: "Carers provide a truly wonderful service to their family, friends and the community as a whole, by giving up their time to help others. We want to make sure that wherever possible we look after them, too."
East Sussex has the highest proportion of elderly people over 85 in the country, and the second highest proportion of those over 65. More than ten per cent of the county’s population look after relatives or friends with physical or mental disabilities or illnesses.
And the strain on the carer can have a negative effect on the patient's well-being. Carer exhaustion has been identified as one factor that sometimes leads to elderly people having to move into long-term residential care after admission to hospital rather than being able to return home with appropriate support in place.
In addition, previous surveys conducted by the county council have shown that around one in six of the 7,000 older carers who care for more than 20 hours per week in East Sussex stated that they were not in good health.
Part of the council's Three Year Plan for adult social care is to tackle these problems by increasing the number of carers who are assessed and increasing the number who are able to influence how services are provided. The new commissioning strategy, which has been drafted with the county council's partners, seeks to develop themes in the plan.
The roadshows will enable people to receive an assessment there and then and to find out what support is on offer. There will be a range of organisations on hand offering free advice, information and support. Refreshments will be available and there will be an opportunity to meet other carers. The plan is to provide more roadshows throughout next year, using different venues, to give as many carers as possible the chance to attend.
The first of seven free sessions across the county begins at 10.30am on December 1 at Heathfield Community Centre, ending at 3.30pm. There will be follow-up events at Hastings, Polegate, St Leonards, Newhaven, Bexhill and Eastbourne on December 8.
'Care for the carers' will also be attending. They are a charity dedicated to supporting the needs of carers in East Sussex. Visit them at the roadshow or online at the Care for the carers website.
For more information or to request an assessment online, please see our web pages for Adult carers.
If you have any questions about the roadshows or booking a carer's assessment, please contact Social Care Direct:
Tel: 0845 608 0191
Email: socialcaredirect@eastsussex.gov.uk
Notes to editors
For more information on the commissioning strategy for carers' services, please ring Mike Taggart in the press office on 01273 481435.
December 1
- Heathfield: Heathfield Community Centre, Sheepsetting Lane: 10.30am-3.30pm.
December 8
- Hastings: The Bridge Community Centre, 361 Priory Road: 9am-12 noon.
- St Leonard’s: The Four Courts Community Centre, Sydney Close: 1.30pm-3.30pm.
- Bexhill: St Peter’s Community Centre, Church Street, Old Town: 2pm-4pm.
- Eastbourne: Venton Centre, Junction Road. 10am-1pm (booked appointments only): 2pm-4pm (no appointment needed).
- Polegate: St Georges Roman Catholic Church Hall, Eastbourne Road: 10.30am-3.30pm.
- Newhaven: The Hillcrest Centre, Hillcrest Road: 10am-2pm.
Reference:
1136
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