Hospice offers wellbeing scheme for carers

A charity has launched a new well-being programme aimed at supporting people who care for loved ones with incurable illness.

Katharine House Hospice in Stafford, has introduced the scheme to offer practical help and skills.

It was developed following feedback from existing support groups, with carers telling hospice bosses they were struggling to manage the physical and emotional demands of caring while taking care of their own well-being.

According to census data, there were nearly 82,000 people in Staffordshire who provided unpaid care each week.

Carers were twice as likely to experience poor health as the general population, due to factors such as stress, financial concerns, a lack of information, and social isolation, according to bosses.

"Carers often put their own needs last, but caring can be physically and emotionally exhausting," said Rachel Bailey, staff nurse at Katharine House.

"If you don't look after yourself, it becomes much harder to care for someone else.

"This programme is about giving carers the tools, confidence and breathing space they need."

Health professionals said caring for someone with an incurable illness could bring unique emotional pressures.

Alongside the physical demands involved, many carers live with ongoing uncertainty about the future, the emotional impact of knowing their loved one's condition would not improve, and the experience of anticipatory grief - grieving while their loved one was still alive.

Rob Hemmings, who cares for his wife Ann, said the support offered had been "amazing and so informative".

"It feels like a huge weight has been lifted," he said.

Joy Skidmore, who cares for her husband, said it had boosted her confidence.

"Knowing I am not alone has really made a difference to my outlook, and I've made some lovely new friends."

The Wellbeing for Carers programme is open to anyone caring for a patient already known to Katharine House Hospice.

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