“I DON’T see myself as her carer, I’m her sister. I always say to her that I will always look after her."

Carole Raistrick is a fulltime carer for her sister Jacqueline, 76, who has dementia.

Carole, a former hairdresser, says Jacqueline needs help around the clock as she has memory loss, gets confused and struggles to have a conversation.

“She has difficulty doing everyday things like getting dressed, she can’t find the words for what she wants or what she wants to say and she sleeps a lot of the time,” says Carole, 74. “She used to be confident and was very competent at all she did. Now she can’t really do anything.”

The sisters live together in Heaton, and Carole says she can't leave Jacqueline alone for more than a couple of hours. They have support from family members and a care home which provides respite if Carole wants to go out for longer periods, or away with friends.

Jacqueline is a retired midwife and manager who worked at Bradford Royal Infirmary and was in charge of the special baby care unit. She was also a skilled upholsterer, knitter and patch-worker, and did Sudoku puzzles daily.

Now she spends her days listening to the radio and was recently given a knitted 'twiddlemuff' to help occupy her hands.

“If she could see herself as she is now she wouldn’t believe it - the change in her over the past four years is astounding,” says Carole. “Sometimes I do get a glimpse of the old Jackie and of course our home is full of all the wonderful things she used to make - the drapes, lampshades, cushion covers. She was a very talented woman and an avid reader.

“It’s very sad. She managed to get over breast cancer but dementia is not curable."

Carole receives support from Shipley-based Carers' Resource, which helps unpaid carers in Bradford, Airedale, Wharfedale and Craven, and in Harrogate and Ripon, through one-to-one support and support groups, planning for emergencies and wellbeing, and employment and training advice.

The charity has helped Carole put an emergency plan in place, and helped her successfully apply for a carer’s small grant for a short break.

“I’ve had great support from Carers’ Resource," says Carole. "They really understand what carers go through and what we need.”

Carers Week, taking place from June 6 - 12, puts the spotlight on the UK's 6.5 million carers who look after an ill, frail or disabled family member of friend. There are 52,000 carers in the Bradford district, the equivalent of one in ten people.

Chris Whiley, director of Carers’ Resource, said: “Every week is Carers Week for us - carers are always at the forefront of our work.

“We support carers no matter what their situation. Every package of support is tailored to fit that carer’s needs.

“Caring can be unrelenting, 24/7, and extremely hard work, as well as isolating. In many cases it can cause anxiety and depression.

“The problem we face is reaching carers at the start of their journey. Anyone can be a carer and it can happen suddenly, at any time - the result of an accident, a stroke, a diagnosis, or it can happen gradually as a loved one's condition worsens.

“People need to be identified sooner, and realise ‘I’m a carer’ so they get the right support at the right time. We’re here to do just that."

Afternoon tea and massages for carers are part of Carers' Week activities taking place across the district. The Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Geoff Reid, will be having a cuppa with some of those who look after a loved one, and Carers’ Resource is hosting a tea party on Wednesday, June 8, 10am to 12pm, at Park View Court, Shipley, with free seated massages for carers.

Visitors can find out about support including advice on health issues, respite, holidays, transport, social activities and practical solutions for carers with childcare responsibilities. Staff will also advise on equipment to make caring easier, and finding out more about benefits and grants.

The theme of this year’s Carers Week is ‘Building Carer Friendly Communities’ and Carers Resource staff will be visiting venues such as GP surgeries, hospitals and supermarkets.

The Bradford charity is running Time Out For Tea, a campaign to fund carers' breaks, and is inviting people to hold a tea party, or donate the cost of a cuppa, by Friday, July 29.

* Contact Anne Wells, fundraising co-ordinator, on (01423) 500555, email awells@carersresource.org or visit carersresource.org

Carers Week calendar:

Drop-ins will be held on:

Monday, 6 June, 10am – 2pm, Sainsbury’s, Harrogate Road, Greengates

Monday, 6 June, 10am – 2pm, Sainsbury’s, Cavendish Street, Keighley

Monday, 6 June, 11am – 2pm, Asda, Manor Lane, Shipley

Monday, 6 June, 10am – 2pm, St Luke’s Hospital, main corridor, Little Horton Lane, Bradford

Monday, 6 June 2pm – 4pm, Moor Park Medical Practice, Bluebell Building, Barkerend Health Centre, Barkerend Road, Bradford

Tuesday, 7 June, noon to 2pm, Carers’ Resource office, Broughton Hall Estate

Tuesday, 7 June, 11am – 2pm, Bradford Royal Infirmary, main corridor

Wednesday, 8 June, 11am – 3pm, Airedale General Hospital

Wednesday, 8 June, 2pm – 4pm, Dyneley House Surgery, Newmarket Street, Skipton

Thursday, 9 June, 8.30am – 11am, Windhill Green Medical Practice, Thackley Old Rd, Shipley

Thursday, 9 June, 2pm – 4pm Thornton Medical Practice, Craven Ave, Thornton

Friday, 10 June, 8.30am – 10.30am Westcliffe Medical Centre, Westcliffe Road, Shipley

Friday, 10 June, 3.30pm – 5pm Cowgill Surgery, Thornaby Drive, Clayton

Friday, 17 June, 12.30 – 3pm, Farfield Surgery, West Lane, Keighley

Health checks and Meet the Patients Participation Groups at:

Monday, 6 June 9am - noon, Cottingley Surgery, Littlelands, Bingley

Tuesday, 7 June, 8.30am – noon, Sunnybank Medical Centre, Town Gate, Wyke

Wednesday, 8 June 9am – noon, Saltaire Medical Practice Richmond Road, Shipley

Wednesday, 8 June, 10am – noon, Coffee morning and open day for carers, with the Lord Mayor of Bradford, Carers’ Resource office, Shipley

Wednesday, 8 June, 2pm - 4pm, volunteers afternoon tea celebration, Eden, Broughton Hall estate, near Skipton