BARBARA Hargreaves cannot speak too highly of the help she received from Carers’ Resource.

As carer for her husband Paul, 84, who has vascular dementia, she heard about the district-wide service - which provides support for carers - from her GP surgery.

“At the time I didn’t need that much help as we were managing but I thought it would do me good to register and I’m so glad I did,” says the78-year-old retired primary school teacher.

Initially she received help applying for Attendance Allowance, which involved completing a lengthy, detailed form. “Knowing someone was there to help me gave me the confidence to do it,” she says.

The service also helped Barbara, 78, to find groups she could attend with Paul, such as the Let’s Sing group in Ilkley.

“We both enjoy it, and even if Paul isn’t up to it, I can go by myself,” she says.

“It also gives me the chance to meet other carers and we talk. Even if our situations aren’t the same there are similarities and we have so much in common.

“I know that Carers’ Resource is on the end of the phone if I need them and just listening to me has been a huge help. The support has helped me to keep a positive attitude and helped me to realise I can’t do everything, that I shouldn’t feel guilty, and must make sure I look after myself.”

She adds: “I’m feeling much better; I’m looking after myself and trying to get back into a routine, eating well and going for walks.”

Paul, a retired civil engineer, is currently being cared for in a home as his condition worsened.

“He’s being looked after and it’s much safer for him there as the night times can be so challenging and exhausting when you can’t get any sleep yourself,” says Barbara.

“I didn’t realise I was a carer - I’d done it for so long until I was doing everything and then I thought ‘gosh, I’m his carer, not just his wife’.”

“I have been given so much help. It’s a tough job - I haven’t got the stamina.”

This week is Self-Care Week, run by the Self Care Forum, which helps people to take care of themselves at home. It aims to help people become more knowledgeable about health and lifestyle options that will impact positively on their physical and mental wellbeing. It also means knowing how to deal with medicines appropriately.

The theme this year is ‘Understanding Self Care for Life’, empowering people to take control of their own health and wellbeing. Throughout the week events are taking place at various locations in the district.

Bradford Council’s Self Care and Prevention Programme is launching a ‘Make One Change Challenge’ and are asking people of all ages to think about making a change that could have a positive impact on their health and wellbeing. It could be as simple as walking for ten minutes a day, keeping a day alcohol free or having an extra portion of fruit and vegetables.

Saiuqa Raney, Development Officer at Carers’ Resource, which is part of the district’s Self Care Partnership, said: “Self Care is a way of looking after yourself in a healthy way, whether it’s brushing your teeth, taking medicine when you have a cold, or exercising, it is important to help to keep yourself as well as possible.

“It is important to stay active and do things that are important to you, such as gardening, seeing friends and family, going on holiday, or continuing to work where possible. Self care involves looking at what you can do and want to do, rather than what you can’t do.

“Living a healthy lifestyle is an important part of self care for everyone. You can take responsibility for your own health and wellbeing, with support from those involved in your care.

“When you talk to your doctor, nurse or social care provider about your condition, you may want to discuss things you need to do to stay well. Some you will do yourself, such as eating healthily, exercising, or taking your medicines at the right time.

“If you have a long-term condition, there are extra things you may need to consider, such as changes to your diet, and different types of exercise or medication.”

Chris Whiley, director of Carers’ Resource, says: “It is particularly important that carers make sure they are looking after themselves and during Self Care Week we are pushing this message. Carers often neglect their own health, putting the needs of the person they look after first, and struggling on.”

To find out about events and activities taking place near you across Bradford and Craven visit bradford.gov.uk or contact self.care@bradford.gov.uk or follow @HealthyBrad4d on Facebook and Twitter. Alternatively call Carers Resource: 01274 449 660.

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