Are you a carer?

Planning ahead can help you feel more confident about the future if your caring situation changes. We can support you to plan for emergencies, understand your rights, and access the right help when you need it.

This page explains how emergency and future planning, advocacy, legal support and hospital discharge planning can help you in your caring role, and how to get support.

Emergency and future planning

Having a plan in place can give you peace of mind if something unexpected happens. Emergency planning helps make sure the person you care for is supported if you are suddenly unable to care, whether for a short time or longer.

An emergency plan can include:

• key contacts
• medication and routines
• important information others may need

You can make a plan with family or friends you trust. Enable Scotland has an emergency planning toolkit to help you get started.

Planning for future care

Future care planning, formerly known as Anticipatory Care Planning, looks at wishes for care and treatment in an emergency. This is done through a ReSPECT plan, which helps health and care professionals understand what care is right, at the right time and in the right place.

Advocacy support

Advocacy helps make sure your voice is heard. An advocate can help you:

• understand your options
• decide what matters to you
• take part in decisions with confidence

You stay in control of what is said. In South Lanarkshire, Equal Say provides independent advocacy for carers and other priority groups.

Legal matters

Carers may need help with legal matters such as Power of Attorney or Guardianship. Support and guidance may be available from Lanarkshire Carers, and you can get free, independent advice from your local Citizens Advice Bureau.

Hospital discharge planning

If the person you care for is leaving hospital, you have the right to be informed and involved, with their consent. NHS staff should speak to you early so the right support is in place at home. Lanarkshire Carers’ hospital support team can help during this time.

Help for the person you support

Support may be available to help the person you care for and could include equipment, adaptations, community alarms, personal care and self-directed support. This is usually arranged through social work. You can also complete our online form to get in touch and find out more.