Caring for someone who's in hospital
If you look after someone your role as a carer continues even if the person you care for needs to stay in hospital.
However, things will probably be quite different and you may be faced with new, unfamiliar challenges. You'll probably feel that your biggest task is to make sure the person you look after is getting the care they need while they're in hospital.
Working together with hospital staff
If the person you care for is unable to (or struggles to) communicate for themselves, make sure you tell the nurses and health care assistants about their preferences. This could be simple things such as what time they usually sleep, whether they prefer TV or radio, or it could be more important information such as religious beliefs or whether the person has an advanced decision in place about future medical treatment. This information will help the doctors and nurses provide better, more personalised care.
It may feel strange handing the tasks you normally do, such as helping the person eat or wash, over to nurses and health care assistants.
Every hospital has different ways of working. Some will be happy for you to stay on the ward and help provide care to the person throughout the day. Others will prefer you to leave all caring tasks to hospital staff and will have strict visiting times. If you aren’t comfortable with how much input the hospital are allowing you to have, then make sure you tell the staff how you feel and work with them to find a solution.
Chesterfield Royal Hospital
Chesterfield Royal Hospital have a Carer Liaison Worker who can:
- provide information and advice about your caring worries and concerns
- help you communicate with hospital staff
- attend discharge meetings with you
- put you in touch with support services in the community.
To find out more you can ask the staff at the hospital to put you in touch with Rebecca Cowley, who's the Liaison Worker. Or you can contact her yourself on tel or text: 07825532952 or email: rebecca.cowley@nhs.net
The Royal have also signed up to the Carers Charter, recognising their committment to carers and the role they play in the treatment and care of their patients. Carers and staff can use a 'Carers Passport' to make it clear which tasks carers want to carry out themsleves while their loved one is in hospital. The passport is used to make a simple written plan about how the carer and hospital staff will work together. Find out more on the hospital's website.
Royal Derby Hospital
Royal Derby Hospital is now allowing open visiting for two main carers for every patient who needs that provision. For carers, that means they can stay with their friend or loved one for as long as they need and want to, either by the bedside or in the carer’s room. Nursing staff will ask how the carer(s) would like to care for their loved one, creating a shared care agreement which details the role each person will play.
Other hospitals
Even if the hospital your loved one is staying in is not officially signed up to any charter, the staff may still let you help provide care. Speak to the staff to see what their policy is.
All hospitals have Patient Advice and Liaison Services who you can speak to if you aren’t happy with how the person you cared for is being looked after.
Don’t be afraid to ask
If you are confused or have queries about the medical care of your loved one do not be afraid to ask questions. Keep a running list of any questions you have so you are prepared for the next time you are able to see the person you care for’s doctor. If you don't understand what the doctor is saying, ask him or her to provide further explanation. It's okay to speak up.
Information sharing
In some cases hospital staff may be unable to tell you things about the person you care for – such as test results or the outcome of an assessment. This can often be an issue if the person you care for has mental health issues. As a carer you may find this very frustrating.
Hospital staff are bound by confidentiality laws and have to follow rules about what information they can share. However staff also know that involving carers plays a key part in providing more effective care and health services that are co-ordinated around the needs of the person. Sharing information can be complex in some cases. Speak to the ward staff and ask them to explain to you what the rules are. You can find out more about information sharing and setting up and agreement, You may also be interested in finding out about power of attorney and advance statements.
Learning disabilities
Derbyshire Healthcare Foundation Trust have specialist learning disability nurses who work in the local acute hospitals. If the person you care for is in hospital, or is due to go into hospital, you can contact the nurses to discuss any worries. The nurses will help people with a learning disability prepare for a hospital admission and make sure they are prepared and know what is going to happen. They also give advice and information to carers, as well as helping to plan discharges.
Get a break
Although you may want to stay with the person you care for as much as possible while they’re in hospital, it could be a good opportunity for you to get a break from caring. If this is the case, don’t feel guilty about taking it. You need to look after yourself to stay healthy and well and getting a break is a big part of that.
Get support
Sometimes talking to other people in a similar position to you can really help. The carers directory has details of carer support groups, social activities and organisations who can support you. You can also get support from other carers using online forums or there are some good telephone advice lines available for carers.
If you haven't already done so, think about having a carer assessment. You may also be entitled to a carer personal budget.
If the person you care for is getting to the stage where they are ready to be discharged, you may be interested in the 'caring for someone leaving hospital page'.
Practical matters
Cost of visiting
Visiting someone in hospital can be very expensive, especially if you have to travel a long way to get there.
If you use public transport, see if there are any discount schemes you can take advantage of. If the person you care for is likely to be in hospital for a while, you will get a better deal on fares if you buy a ticket covering a number of days in advance, such as ‘Day Rover’ or ‘Wayfarer’ ticket.
If you drive make sure you look for any discount parking offers. Again, it may be cheaper to buy a ticket that covers a certain amount of days in advance. Or could you park somewhere else and walk the last part of the journey?
If paying to visit your loved one in hospital is causing you financial hardship you may be able to apply to the Derbyshire Discretionary Fund for help with transport costs.
Benefits
If the person you care for is over 18 and is in hospital for more than 28 days then some benefits such as Disability Living Allowance (DLA) , Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Attendance Allowance will stop.
If the person you care for is under 18 then their DLA or PIP can continue to be paid for the whole time they are in hospital.
If the Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payment or Attendance Allowance of the person you care for stops, your Carers Allowance will also stop.
If you need any advice about claiming benefits, contact the Welfare Rights Service on tel: 01629 531535, between 11am and 4.30pm, Mon, Tue, Thurs, Fri or email: welfarebenefits@derbyshire.gov.uk.
Working and caring
If you are juggling working and caring it may be that having the person you care for in hospital adds additional pressure. You may struggle with finding the time to visit or maybe the hospital's visiting hours don't fit in with your working pattern. Check you are clear about your employment rights before asking for any time off work or for any adjustments to your working pattern.
Having your say
To make sure health and social care services can improve in future, it is important you provide feedback and tell them what you thought.
If you are not happy with the service you or the person you care for used, don't be afraid to make a complaint. Complaints help services to improve by learning what they could do better.
Other helpful websites
- Blog - Carers Guide to Handling Hospitals
- NHS website - hospital stays
- Chesterfield Royal Hospital- carers
- Derby Hospitals - visitors information
- Derbyshire Community Health Services (Babbington, Bolsover, Buxton, St Oswald's, Walton, Whitworth etc hospitals)
- Tameside Hospital - support for patients and carers
- Sheffield Hospitals (Northern General, Hallamshire, Weston Park) - visitors information
- Nottingham Hospitals (QMC, City Hospital) - information for carers
- Carers UK - support if the person you care for is in hospital
