Many carers worry about what might happen to the person they care for in the event of something unexpected happening to them which means they are temporarily unable to care.
A new scheme to help carers in Reading, Wokingham and West Berkshire plan what would happen to the person they care for in the event of a crisis is now available.

The Princess Royal Trust Carers Service and Crossroads, see Respite Care
are working together to ensure unpaid carers have access to a local Emergency Respite Scheme, which will ensure they can summon help if they become ill or have an accident.

What is an emergency?
An emergency is an illness, accident, personal crisis or event, which unexpectedly or at very short notice takes a carer away from the person they care for, or delays their return to them. It could include things such as a family funeral, a transport delay, family illness, admission to hospital, last minutes doctors or dentist appointment or a personal accident affecting the carer.

What is a carer’s emergency plan?
A carer’s emergency plan is a carer’s own personal plan of what should happen and who will help to make sure that the person they care for is safe and well in the event of such an emergency.

Who can be in the plan?
Whoever is willing to help. This could be a friend, relatives or neighbours but ask them first! It may be Crossroads, or another care agency of your choice or social services.

Who puts the plan into practice?
Having a plan should mean that a carer can get help for themselves more easily. They can also ring a dedicated telephone number for Crossroads staff to implement the plan any time of the day or night, 24 hours per day, 365 days per year

What if I an accident or injury means the carer can’t summon help?
A Carer’s Emergency Card, which you take with you wherever you go, identifies you to emergency services as a carer with an emergency plan. The emergency services contact Crossroads via a number on the card.

What happens if friends, relatives or neighbours cannot help when the emergency actually occurs?
Crossroads will send a full trained carer support worker to the person you care for, or will summon other support as per your emergency plan.

Who benefits?
A good plan should ensure the comfort and safety of the person/s cared for and peace of mind for the carer even if an emergency never occurs.

Will this service cost me money?
No – support with preparing your plan and the emergency contact and response service from Crossroads are all completely free, although as part of our funding agreement we are required to pass your details to the relevant social services department at the time an emergency occurs.

What can I do next?
For further information, contact Reading Crossroads on 0118 945 4209 or PRT Carers Service on 0118 950 3941.
If you live in West Berkshire, contact Crossroads on 01635 30008.

Other sources of help

If you live outside the areas covered by the new scheme, here are some useful tips to help you plan.

1) Help available might include :
Emergency social work duty team – in Berkshire the number is 01344 786543
Community alarms / "panic buttons"

2) If you are relying on family and friends to help out in an emergency make sure you discuss with them in advance what’s involved in caring. Let them have details about the person you care for. Being prepared will mean they are more confident about helping out and you will have peace of mind of knowing they can cope. Include details such as:
• Medication
• Contact number for emergency social work duty team
• The person’s disability, illness or condition
• The person’s likes and dislikes
• Any other people involved in their care eg day centres, care agencies etc.

3) If you need professional help to draw up an emergency plan contact social services and ask for a carer’s assessment. Carers have a legal right to an assessment and it should cover planning for emergencies.

4) Make a list of useful phone numbers. Keep copies by the telephone and in your purse or wallet. If you use a mobile make sure the numbers are programmed into your phone. Include:
• local social services emergency duty team
• out of hours GP service
• numbers for day centres and or other services attended by the person you care for.
• a relative, friend or neighbour who knows about the person you care for