Recognising Older Carers

Today, Carers Week focuses on older Carers so we would like to highlight what support we can offer to you if you care for someone who may be old and frail or living with dementia. There are organisations that have signed up to our Carer Friendly ID Card and either offer a discount or embrace and support unpaid Carers, particularly those who are either older or care for someone who is older.

Oakley Friends (in partnership with Param Life) offers a FREE 10-week course for those caring for someone living with dementia. The course covers various aspects of dementia, including professional speakers from the Alzheimer’s Society, the continence nurse, Occupational Therapy and Lifeline, topics include:

  • Medical aspects
  • Social services
  • Legal issues and benefits
  • Memory assessment

You can find out more about this course here.

In Jolly Good Company exists to help alleviate the physical and mental issues caused by loneliness and isolation. They are a dementia-friendly organisation and work with all ages to bring friendship, joy and a sense of community to older people living in Dorset. As we age it can be hard to feel connected or part of a community – In Jolly Good Company offers you the chance to have fun with and feel supported by like-minded people. They offer days out, gardening activities and so on, take a look here.

PramaLife works in Bournemouth, Christchurch, East Dorset and Poole offers a wide range of activities and services which look to directly tackle social isolation and lead to increased personal independence, and help people enjoy life as they age. Parma Life’s aim is to see Bournemouth, Christchurch, Poole and Dorset recognised by the World Health Organisation as an “Age Friendly Community”. PramaLife has developed 55+ clubs, groups and activities(including a Carers group) across Bournemouth, Poole, Christchurch and East Dorset.

Discounts
There are mobility shops and services, osteopaths and chiropractors who offer a discount to those who hold a Carer Friendly ID Card.

What Other Offers Are There?
There are other discounts available in the Dorset area so that you can have a free tea or coffee, a bite to eat or indulge in a three-course meal. You can also save money on days out, pampering sessions, shopping, home improvements hobbies and activities, plus lots more.

Where Can I See These Offers?
Click here and then type in the area where you live, search in a designated mile radius and then select the discount category, for example, hair and beauty but also search under self-care, or wellbeing and complementary therapy. Further information about the discounts and offers available to Carers in Dorset is available here.

You may see our Carer Friendly Stickers in shop windows or posters, so that is another way of knowing if somewhere provides some kind of support or discount to Carers.

How can I get these discounts?
To access these discounts, you will need to show your Carer Friendly ID Card which has been funded by Dorset Council and Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole Council. If you have an old Dorset Carers Card or CRISP Carers Card, these are still valid, as long as they have not passed their expiry date. If they have expired, you will receive information on how to request your new Carer Friendly ID Card.

If you provide unpaid care to someone and you live in Bournemouth, Christchurch or Poole, register with CRISP here or call 01202 128787. If you are caring for someone living in Dorset Council area, register with Carer Support Dorset here or call 0800 368 8349. The relevant Carers support service will then contact you and provide you with details of how to access your Carer Friendly ID Card.

Can I recommend a Business or Service?
Yes, you can.We are really keen toexpand our offers and discounts to Carers in Dorset and would love to get more businesses on board. If you regularly go somewhere or use a particular product or service and you would like to save some money, either tell that business about our Carer Friendly ID Card or email Rachel.Close@forwardcarers.org.uk and she will contact them on your behalf. Businesses can find out about the advantages of supporting Carers, such as free advertising here and submit their offer here.