Caring can often have a negative impact on a carers' health and general wellbeing. Carers may dedicate so much time and effort into caring for someone else that they can neglect or do not realise the effect it can have on their own health. In order for a carer to continue caring for as long as they wish to it is important to be aware of the possible health risks. These can be both physical and emotional.

Physical health
Providing care and support may effect your physical health in a number of ways. Probably the most commonly known health problems associated with caring are to do with lifting and moving people. This can cause difficulties such as back problems, pulled muscles and can affect blood pressure.

If you think you may have physical health problems due to lifting or moving someone you should contact your GP for advice. You may also be able to attend a moving and handling course that will instruct you how to move someone without putting your health at risk.

If you think you and the person you care for may need more support with moving and handling you can also request a home assessment from an occupational therapist (OT), based in the council's Independent Living Services (ILS) Team. The OT will see if any equipment or adaptations can be put in place to reduce your caring responsibilities and help the person you are caring for to live as independently as possible.

Although physical problems caused by lifting and moving are the most well-known problems associated with caring, being a carer can affect your health in other ways. If you think any aspect of your caring responsibilities are having an impact on your health you should contact your GP.

Emotional wellbeing
Carers often overlook their emotional health as they put so much into caring for someone else that it becomes difficult to think about caring for themselves.

Taking regular breaks, where you can recharge your batteries and do something you enjoy, can improve your health and as a result improve the care you provide.

For instance, there are support groups on the Wirral that  hold regular events that focus on improving carers emotional wellbeing, including activities like art classes as well as just being able to meet people in a similar position and share your experiences

WIRRAL GP's SUPPORTING CARERS
NHS Wiral has developed a computer template that records health and social care data on patients who are carers and registered with a GP. Local GP practices are now able to offer carers appointments that can be tailored around their caring responsibilities. Carers are also offered access to other health and social care information and services once they have been identified as carers within their GP practice.

You may find the following links useful:-

• NHS Carers
• www.carers.org
• www.carersuk.org