Caring for someone with physical disabilities

Looking after someone with a physical disability can be physically demanding for you as a carer. An important part of your role is to make sure the person you care for has the best quality of life possible by helping them to be as independent as possible. 

Anyone can become physically disabled, suddenly through accident, or gradually through illness, and some people are disabled from birth.

Getting peer support

Speaking to people who are facing similar challenges to you can help you make sense of things. Having a network of people who you can turn to for advice and support can be very helpful.

You can use the carers directory to look for carers support groups and social activities in your area. There are also details of telephone helplines and online support groups for carers on the online carers communities and advice lines information page.

Moving and handling

Derbyshire County Council Adult Care's moving and handling team provide free training for carers. You can learn safe techniques to prevent injury. They also provide the opportunity for carers and the people they care for to 'try out' new pieces of equipment. The moving and handling team is based at The Hub in South Normanton, but offer training at other venues around the county. Please call Tel: 01629 531492 for further information.

Derbyshire Carers Association facilitate free moving and handling and First Aid courses for carers. To find out the next course dates please contact Derbyshire Carers on tel: 01773 833833. 

Getting help 

There are dedicated organisations and charities to support people with physical disabilities and their carers. Many are excellent sources of information and advice - you'll find links to some on this page.

You can use the Carers Directory to find your local carer support service to see how they can help you with practical things such as carers assessments and emergency planning.

As a carer, it's important that you look after your own health and wellbeing, particularly if your role requires a lot of physical moving and handling tasks. The health and wellbeing page has details of services to help you stay fit and healthy as well as emotional support services.

If the person you care for acquired their physical disability suddenly it's likely that they'll struggle to deal with the change to their lifestyle. This is totally normal but the fact you are now their carer may affect your relationship with them. You may wish to get advice or use a counselling service to help you both through it.

Asking questions 

People with physical disabilities often have to attend many health and social care appointments and as a carer you might have a lot of questions you want to ask. It may help to write down your questions before any appointments with professionals and take someone with you.

Derbyshire Healthcare Foundation Trust have produced a card to help you think about what you want to say before you attend a meeting with a professional. It's important that you are get the answers to all your questions, so if there's anything that you are unsure of, don't be afraid to ask again. 

Getting out and about

Getting out and about can be one of the most important issues facing those with physical disabilities. Access to suitable, accessible transport and mobility support can make your role as a carer more manageable. 

• Derbyshire Blue Badge Scheme
• Motability Car and Scooter Scheme
• search the Carers Directory for local community transport services
• Gov.uk - transport if you're disabled
• AJM Healthcare are the appointed NHS wheelchair providers in Derbyshire (excluding Tameside) and can assist with wheelchair related enquiries and feedback.

Getting out and visiting attractions is good for your wellbeing and also benefits the person you care for. But if you care for someone who is physically disabled it can be difficult because some local activities and locations aren't accessible to disabled people, particularly in the hilly Peak District. 

Local charity Accessible Derbyshire aim to improve the lives of disabled people and their carers by helping them find accessible leisure and tourism activities in the area. Their website provides details of accessible days out, scenic drives and picnic spots and they also have information about local holiday lets that are accessible to disabled people. 

Changing Places are accessible toilets for disabled people with facilities such as changing benches and hoists. They are available all over the UK. 

Getting active

Derbyshire Sport works with a whole host of partners to ensure an inclusive approach is taken to physical activity and sport across the county. The Active and Inclusive section of their website has details of clubs, events and activities for disabled people and their carers including wheelchair basketball and inclusive training. 

The NHS website has lots of advice to help wheelchair users get active and improve fitness.

Benefits

It's important to make sure that both you and the person you care for are getting all the welfare benefits you are entitled to. The Derbyshire Welfare Rights Service can help by doing a benefit check. You can also ready about benefits for people with a disability and carers benefits.

Other helpful websites