Services for Carers

To stay healthy, and continue to be an effective carer many people will need to ask for help at some point. Carers can’t continue to give emotional support to a person with HD, and family members, when they feel emotionally depleted or out of control themselves. It is your right and responsibility to check that you are okay and to seek advice or support when you need it.

It can be difficult to ask for or seek help. Guilt is a word frequently used by carers...” feel guilty when I am doing something pleasurable.” To acknowledge your limitations at various times during your caretaking is a courageous and a loving act, both for yourself and our loved ones.

This section gives you details about services for carers:

Carer’s Tips:

Ask the question “what am I doing for myself?”
Try to work on only one or two issues at a time.
Allow others to help. If you get sick, your loved one won’t have your support.
Have a person outside of the family to talk to.
Eat a healthy diet and sleep regular hours.
Take 30 minutes a day for yourself (try a warm bath, or a walk with the dog).
Arrange respite before you are burned out. Plan ahead. It is a comfort knowing relief is coming.

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