|
|
|
Carers' Corner
Information for
Carers - Jaqui
Williams-Durkin
Through contacts with you at regional meetings, on the membership line
and via email we have become aware that a diagnosis of CLL has a direct
impact on family members, or friends, who may have to care for that
person when they are ill. And in some cases people who are diagnosed
with CLL are themselves carers, and some are concerned about what help
will be available.
Given
the huge and complex amount of information that is available, the CLLSA
can only ‘signpost’ you to some useful sources of information which we
hope will be of use. There are certainly other sources of advice that
we have not covered here.
Macmillan Cancer Care
Macmillan has a
vast range of information from financial to emotional. The
website is:
www.macmillan.org.uk. Their telephone support line is 0808
808 2020, open Mon- Fri 9am to 3.00pm. To order their
publications call 0800 500 800. Macmillan has Carers projects
around the country, including Crossroads schemes and The
Princess Royal Trust for Carers network. Macmillan has
information for all countries in the UK.
Carers Direct
A new online
information service, Carers Direct was launched in Feb 2009 to
provide a single and comprehensive online resource to help
carers.
www.nhs.uk/Carersdirect. At the moment this gives direct
information for England only, but the site has useful ideas and
contributions by carers.
A national
telephone helpline for carers: Dial 0808 802 0202. The helpline
is staffed by advisers who can provide information on carers’
assessments, benefits, direct payments, individual budgets, time
off, and combining work or education with caring. Again this is
only for people living in England.
Statutory
services
The
cancer nurse specialist, based at your hospital and/or community
cancer care nurses should be able to access care information for
you in your area. Social services also have information for
carers – see your local telephone directory. The Benefits
Enquiry Helpline (voice):0800 882200-gives advice on benefits
that can be claimed; the website address:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Dl1/Directories/DG_10011165
Cancer charities:
Again there are
many large cancer charities that offer advice and this may
include information for carers.
CLLSA
cannot take responsibility for any advice given to you by these
authorities. |
|
|
