When looking after a loved-one is too much: caring for carers

For community nurses, the first step in ensuring a carer's wellbeing is to be mindful of not adding to the person's burden themselves. To create and maintain safe and effective care for patients relies on collaboration between nurses and the families and carers, which may involve nurses delegating caring duties to a carer. But, in line with the professional code, this should only happen if the carer is competent, supervised, supported, and understands the task, its complexity and expected outcomes (Nursing and Midwifery Council, 2015). Community nurse should also identify carer support services and resources locally, and signpost the carer to them. It might help to prepare a 'local resource pack', containing information carers might need to know and highlighting the support they are entitled to, including statutory and non-statutory sources.