Who are carers?
People can become carers at different ages and stages of life. A carer does not have to live with the person they care for.
Carers are people who care unpaid for a family member, friend or neighbour, who, because of a long term illness, disability or neurological difference, could not manage without this support. The illness can be a physical or mental health condition or an addiction.
Being a carer is different from being a paid worker providing health or social care. Many carers find themselves juggling paid work with unpaid caring responsibilities, including parents of children with additional support needs.
Who are parent carers?
A parent carer is an adult who provides care to a child with additional support needs (due to a long-term illness, disability or neurological difference) for whom they have parental responsibility.
Why identify as a carer?
Many people who look after loved ones may not associate the term “carer” with what they do. They may simply see themselves as a “partner”, “parent”, “friend” etc. coping as best they can in the circumstances.
Caring can be a very positive and rewarding experience. But it can be exhausting too. Caring can affect many aspects of a person’s life, from their physical and mental health to their finances and relationships.
Identifying as a “carer” can help a person access help and support to make their caring role more sustainable and to live a life of their own alongside caring.
If you are a carer or a parent carer living in East Lothian please contact us on 0131 665 0135 to find out more about how we can support you or browse the information on this website.
Carers of East Lothian (CoEL) supports adult carers (18 years plus) who live in, or care for someone living in, East Lothian.
