Are there any societies or government backed groups that provide help and assistance for carers?
There are plenty of nonprofits. Look under “respite care.” For instance, this site is typical.
Bippy,
Try this one:
National Family Caregivers Association
http://www.familycaregiving101.org/
There are literally dozens of such organizations. Need a specific one? I can help. Or try to.
Are there more general help and advice groups, not just groups that will take over helping for a short while to allow the carer to get some rest?
Call your local department of Aging - they should be in the phone book under local government agencies. Tell them what you need and they should be able to help you find it.
This probably isn’t what you were asking for, but there’s also magazines and such that a lot of people seem to find very helpful. Today’s Caregiver is one we get at the library.
I opened this thread to figure out if you had spelled careers wrong, or if you were talking about people who drive cars. I don’t think I’ve ever run across the word “carers” before.
Most cities and towns have a Council on Aging department, usually housed or associated with the area senior center. Some offer caregiver support groups, while others will have information on other groups in the geographical area. as romansperson said, your best bet would be to call them first – if they can’t directly help you, they can refer you.
What is it exactly that you’re looking for, Bippy? My husband and I are caring for my mother, and I’m acquainted with what’s generally out there.
It is for a friend here at work who cares for her dad on weekends and seems to be suffering quite badly from related stress. Parially I’m looking for advice on what I should say to her, and partially looking for resources I could tell her about.
Thanks guys.