Planning a Break from Caring in Lewisham: What You Need to Know

If you are planning a break from caring, the right arrangements can help you step away with more confidence while the person you support continues with familiar routines. For carers in Lewisham, there are different ways to find additional support. This could mean arranging some extra assistance for a few hours, planning ahead for a holiday or speaking to Lewisham Council about the support available to unpaid carers.

Why planning a break from caring matters

Many people do not immediately think of themselves as carers.

You might simply see yourself as a daughter helping her mother, a husband supporting his wife or a friend regularly checking in on someone who needs extra assistance.

However, caring responsibilities can affect your time, wellbeing, work and relationships.

Planning a break gives you the chance to rest, attend appointments, spend time with other family members or focus on your own needs.

The NHS guide to carers’ breaks explains why taking some time away from caring responsibilities can be important for your wellbeing.

Planning a break from caring in Lewisham: where to start

Before making arrangements, it can help to think about what you normally do during a typical day.

This might include:

• Preparing meals and drinks
• Supporting morning and evening routines
• Helping with medication
• Shopping
• Supporting someone to move around safely
• Attending appointments
• Household tasks
• Providing reassurance and company
• Helping someone get out into the community

Writing these tasks down can make it easier to understand what support may be needed while you are unavailable.

It can also help to think about which parts of the day are most important and what the person can already manage independently.

When might additional support be useful?

Every family’s circumstances are different.

You may want to arrange some extra help if:

• You are going on holiday
• You have work or family commitments
• You need to attend an appointment
• You are feeling tired and need some time to yourself
• The person you support has recently left hospital
• Their needs have temporarily changed
• Your usual family support is unavailable

For some carers, planning a break may mean arranging a few hours of additional support. For others, it may involve several days or a longer period.

The right arrangement depends on both your needs and the needs of the person you support.

Planning a break from caring after a hospital stay in Lewisham

Hospital discharge can be a particularly demanding time for family carers.

Someone may be medically ready to leave hospital but still need more help than they did before.

They may feel weaker, less confident or need additional support with everyday routines.

Before discharge, it can help to understand:

• What medication will be required
• What the person can manage independently
• Whether their mobility has changed
• What follow-up appointments are planned
• Whether equipment is needed
• Who to contact if their condition changes

Lewisham Council provides information about support for carers during hospital discharge and advises that carers should be involved in discussions about what they are willing and able to manage.

You can find more information on the Lewisham Council website.

Local help when planning a break from caring

Lewisham has support available specifically for unpaid carers.

If caring responsibilities are affecting your wellbeing, you can request a carer’s assessment.

This looks at how caring affects areas such as:

• Your physical and emotional wellbeing
• Work and education
• Relationships
• Hobbies and interests
• Your ability to have time for yourself
• Whether you are willing and able to continue caring

A carer’s assessment is separate from the assessment of the person you support.

You can find more information through Lewisham Council’s carers pages.

The NHS also explains how carer’s assessments work.

Carer support in Lewisham

Lewisham Council also commissions support for unpaid carers through Imago.

Depending on individual circumstances, support may include:

• Information and advice
• Emotional support
• Practical guidance
• Help understanding available services
• Peer support
• Carer assessments
• Training and wellbeing support

Using local carer services can help when planning a break from caring, as they can explain what support is available and what steps to take next.

Planning ahead for emergencies

Not every break from caring is planned. Sometimes illness, an emergency, or another unexpected event means you suddenly cannot provide your usual support. Having a simple contingency plan can help.

It may include:

• Who should be contacted first
• What medication the person takes
• Important routines
• Communication needs
• Dietary requirements
• Mobility needs
• Emergency contact details

Lewisham Council also provides information about what carers can do if they suddenly cannot care for someone.

You can read more about emergency planning for carers in Lewisham.

What to consider before planning a break from caring

Before stepping away, it can help to ask a few practical questions.

• How long will I be unavailable?
• Which times of day need the most support?
• Is medication involved?
• Are there any mobility or safety concerns?
• Are there important appointments coming up?
• Does the person need help preparing meals?
• What are their communication preferences?
• Who should be contacted if something changes?

You do not need to work everything out alone.

Talking through the person’s normal routine can help identify where additional assistance may be useful.

How Caremark Lewisham can help you plan ahead

Caremark Lewisham supports people across the borough with personalised assistance based around their individual needs, routines and preferences.

If a family carer is planning some time away, our team can discuss what normally happens during the day and what support may be appropriate while they are unavailable.

Depending on the person’s assessed needs, this could include:

• Help with everyday routines
• Meal preparation
• Medication support
• Mobility assistance
• Household tasks
• Community activities
• Social interaction and reassurance

We support people with a wide range of needs, including older people, adults with learning disabilities, autistic people and people living with long-term health conditions.

You can explore Caremark Lewisham to find out more about the support available locally.

Planning a break from caring without feeling guilty

Some carers feel guilty about taking time for themselves.

However, caring for someone does not mean you need to be available every hour of every day.

Having time away can allow you to:

• Rest
• Exercise
• See friends
• Spend time with other family members
• Attend appointments
• Continue working or studying
• Take a holiday
• Focus on your own wellbeing

Putting suitable arrangements in place can make it easier to take that time with greater peace of mind.

About Caremark Lewisham

Caremark Lewisham supports children and adults across the London Borough of Lewisham. Our team takes time to understand each person’s needs, routines, communication preferences and goals. We support people with a wide range of needs and aim to promote independence, dignity and choice while helping individuals remain connected to their families and communities.

Whether you are planning a break from caring in Lewisham, dealing with a temporary change in circumstances or starting to think about additional support for someone close to you, our local team can talk through the options available. Find out more about Caremark Lewisham or contact our team to discuss your circumstances.