Being a carer for a family member or friend
If you are looking after someone else, it’s important to look after yourself as well. Here we offer some tips on being a carer for a family member or friend. Learn about how to look after yourself, what support is available and if you can apply for carer’s allowance.
On this page, we’ll cover:
Being a carer
You may not consider yourself to be a ‘carer’. You might think that what you are doing is just part of your relationship with the person you are looking after.
But, if you give unpaid support to a member of your family or to a friend, who could not manage without your help, you are classed as a carer. And it’s important to look after yourself too.
Being a carer is a selfless and difficult thing to do, and likely not something you ever expected or wished to be doing. So do remember to be kind to yourself and that you deserve a short break, a day away from it all or to share your own feelings with someone.
Carer tips for looking after yourself
Being a carer is not easy. It can have a huge effect on you and your life. Caring for someone with a brain tumour can be both physically and emotionally demanding.
Of course, each carer’s experience is unique to their own circumstances. But you should know that, while it’s important to care for someone else, it’s also important to care for yourself.
And it can be easy as a carer, often as a result of guilt, to forget that you deserve to be taken care of too. Even if it’s something as simple as just finding out more about the support available for carers.
Join our online community
Our online support group is a great place to connect with other carers affected by a brain tumour and share your experiences.
Let others know you are a carer
In order to access support, you’ll need to let others know that you’re caring for someone.
-
Family and friends
Once they know, they can provide support, emotionally and practically.
Other carers who have been through, or are going through, something similar
They may instinctively know how to help you or be able to help guide you through your journey.
Your GP
In order to better look out for your well-being, it’s vital your GP is aware you’re a carer. They will be able to take in to account your circumstances and may also be more flexible with appointment times if they know you’re a carer.
The Adult Services or Children’s Services (Social Services) departments of your local authority
They can give you a carer’s assessment to find out the practical and financial support available to you.
Your employer
They may be flexible around working hours and leave arrangements. You may also find it helpful to let colleagues you trust know that you’re a carer, so they can show their support.
Local carers’ centre
Local carers’ centres are a source of information and advice for practical and emotional issues.
Make a list of useful numbers
Make a list of useful numbers to contact, especially for out of hours. This can make you feel more reassured that you know what to do if anything happens that causes you concern.
Take steps to retain or build yourself a support network
Let people know if you need help and what you need, no matter how small. Friends and family members are usually more than willing to help out but aren’t sure how to ask you if you need some support. If you aren’t completely comfortable starting these conversations, you could signpost information on how friends and family can support someone living with a brain tumour.
You may also want to join specific support groups for carers. This would empower you to share experiences, get advice from people who have been in your position and help you feel less isolated.
Expert help and advice
Speak to our experienced advisors for expert guidance through the benefits systems and advice on how to make the most of your money
Take breaks in caring
Daily breaks
Looking after your own needs starts with ensuring you have daily breaks from caring of at least an hour or two. You should make this part of your caring routine and think of it as just as important as any other element of caring.
Many carers feel guilty if they take time out for themselves, but it is vital that you make time for yourself to do something you enjoy that helps you switch off and find yourself again for a while.
If your loved one’s care needs are such that they can’t be left alone, make use of offers of support from family and friends to stay with them for a couple of hours.
You could also ask your local council whether your loved one can attend a day centre. Alternatively you may have a local carers’ centre or other charity that offers this service or what is known as a “sitting service”. This is where a trained volunteer will keep your loved one company for a few hours, while you have a break.
Longer breaks
Sometimes you may feel you need a longer break. This could be a day here and there, a few days break or a holiday of a week or two. Or, over time, a combination of these.
This doesn’t necessarily mean going away yourself. It could be that the person you’re caring for goes on holiday and you stay home. This will give them new experiences, a change of scene and routine, and a chance to mix with other people. And, you’ll get a well-earned break too.
If you go away and need to arrange alternative care, then depending on how much care your loved one needs, friends or family may be able to take over. Your local council can also help, for both regular short breaks and less frequent longer breaks. Speak to their social services department and ask about ‘respite care’.
Acknowledge how you’re feeling
Being a carer, you’re probably going through a wealth of emotions– anxiety, anger, frustration, fear. On top of this, many people get trapped in a cycle of resentment and guilt.
Even though you love them and want to care for them, it’s normal to feel resentment towards the person you’re caring for. This can be for many reasons, including:
- Feeling that your life is no longer your own
- Not wanting your whole life to be about the illness
- Feeling like you aren’t appreciated for the care you provide
- Having to give up employment or education opportunities
- Losing your support networks and giving up social activities.
It’s common for carers to then feel guilty for feeling resentful or that they should be ‘doing more’ or ‘doing better’ at caring.
If you can, talk to the person you’re caring for about this – they may also welcome the opportunity to talk about their own feelings. If you aren’t able to talk to them, you might want to talk to friends or family about how you’re feeling. Your GP or healthcare team are other potential sources of support or you could contact our support team.
It doesn’t necessarily matter who you talk to, what’s important is not bottling up your emotions.
Look after your physical and mental health
It’s important that you do not sacrifice your own health while caring for someone. Make sure you eat well and stay hydrated. This can help prevent you from becoming ill and give you more energy to provide care.
Lack of sleep can affect your concentration and ability to make decisions. It can also make you feel depressed and increase your risk of some health conditions. If you’re sleeping less than you normally do, make sure you talk to your GP for advice or medication.
If you’re going to be helping someone move around, make sure you understand how to manage this without injuring yourself. Ask your GP about the many aids and adaptations that are available, for example hoists and rails, and ensure sure you are trained in using them correctly.
If you are feeling that everyday activities are a struggle, you have little motivation or are unable to feel enjoyment in things you used to, this could be depression. If you think you might be depressed, there are a variety of sources of support available to you and you should talk to your GP as soon as possible.
And, if you would like to speak to a counsellor about how you’re feeling, we offer a free counselling service for people affected by brain tumours.
Make sure you and your family are safe
If your loved one has memory difficulties, this can sometimes cause problems relating to safety – for example, you may tell them not to touch the cooker, but they may forget that you told them that.
Placing reminder notes in an appropriate place can help ensure everybody stays safe.
Caring – live panel discussion
Please watch our live panel discussion on caring, which includes topics such as power of attorney, help as a carer and living wills.
If your loved one becomes violent
Some tumours can cause personality changes, affecting their ability to control their behaviour and emotions. Sometimes this can lead to aggressive behaviour.
It’s important to remember that it’s the disease, not the person, that is doing this.
However, your safety should be paramount and you should try not to feel guilty if you need professional help to manage the aggression.
Talk to your healthcare team if you have concerns about a loved one becoming violent and they will help you learn to read the trigger signs, manage the aggression more safely and signpost additional support that may be available.
Carer’s allowance
You might be able to apply for carer’s allowance to get some financial help while you’re being a carer. But, you and the person you’re caring for will need to meet certain requirements.
For example, you need to be aged 16 or over and spend at least 35 hours per week looking after someone. You also can’t be studying for more than 21 hours a week and can’t earn more than £139 per week after expenses, tax, and National Insurance.
The person you care for must also get at least one of a list of benefits, like Personal Independence Payment, Disability Living Allowance, or Attendance Allowance.
If you meet the requirements, you could get a fixed amount of money per week.
For more information, see our financial support page.
When your caring role stops
Your caring role can stop for various reasons. It could be because your loved one has recovered and no longer needs care, or it could be because they can no longer be cared for at home, or because they have died.
Whatever your situation, it can be quite difficult and can take some time to adjust.
If you are grieving, you will have all the emotions this brings, plus the practical matters that need to be dealt with. Use your support network to help you and don’t be afraid to let them know what you need. You’ve spent a lot of time looking after someone else, now let people look after you.
Your GP is also an important source of support, particularly if your grief seems overwhelming. They can also put you in touch with a bereavement counsellor, if necessary.
Our Support team can guide you to the support that you need in the place and time that you need it.
Download our factsheet for carers
Carers: Looking after yourself – PDF
Find out more about how best to look after yourself as a carer in our full factsheet
Support and Information Services
Research & Clinical Trials Information
You can also join our active online community.
In this section
Get support
If you need someone to talk to or advice on where to get help, our Support and Information team is available by phone, email or live-chat.
Recommended reading
Caring for someone with a brain tumour
Teresa’s husband, Rob, has a brain tumour and in this video she discusses the practical and emotional sides of caring and the importance of retaining your own identity.
Let’s Talk About Brain Tumours
If you or someone you know is caring for somebody after a brain tumour diagnosis, you may want to listen to a new episode of our podcast, Let’s Talk About Brain Tumours, which is all about life as a carer.
Share your experiences and help create change
By taking part in our Improving Brain Tumour Care surveys and sharing your experiences of caring for somebody, you can help us improve treatment and care for everyone affected by a brain tumour.