Carers of seniors

Image: An older woman chatting to a younger woman

Who are carers?

Carers are relatives, friends or neighbours who regularly look after someone without being paid. They may be adults, children or young people either living with the person they care for or somewhere else.

Needs Assessments

An assessment is a way of looking at your needs and involves working out how these can be met. It can be very simple and quick depending on your needs.

Usually, only the areas where you have problems or difficulty would be assessed, for example:

personal needs, getting up, washed and dressed, going to the toilet
domestic and household tasks
how your health needs affect your ability to cope
getting around both inside and outside your home
what help you think you need
work, recreational or educational needs
who you get help from at the moment
where you live and if it`s suitable for your needs
money matters.

We are not responsible for carers allowance or support of carers of senior citizens in Belfast. However, we can provide a list of other agencies who do provide this service.

Belfast City Council is not responsible for the content of external internet sites

Disability and Carers Service

Department for Social Development in Northern Ireland

The department provides information and advice for people applying for Carers Allowance, Disability Allowance and Attendance Allowance. They can arrange for an assessment of an elderly person's care needs.

Carers Allowance: 028 9090 6186
Disability Living Allowance: 028 9090 6182
Attendance Allowance: 028 9090 6178
Textphone: 0800 243 787
Website: www.dsdni.gov.uk

Citizens Advice Bureau

Independent advice on many issues, including help for carers. You can email or phone their Adviceline or call in to their central office.
6 Callender Street
Belfast
BT1 5BN
Telephone: 9050 3000
Email: centralbelfastcab@citizensadvice.co.uk
Website: www.citizensadvice.org.uk/nireland

Carers Northern Ireland

Carers Northern Ireland aims to help anyone who is caring for a sick, disabled or elderly, frail friend or relative at home.

Carers Northern Ireland
58 Howard Street
Belfast
BT1 6PJ
Telephone: 028 9043 9843
CarersLine: 0808 808 7777 (free advice line: 10am - 12pm and 2pm - 4pm Wednesday and Thursday)
Fax: 028 9032 9299
Email: info@carersni.org
Website: www.carersni.org

Department for Work and Pensions

For people with disabilities, their carers and representatives. The Benefit Enquiry Line (BEL) offers advice and information on benefits and how to claim them, and help you to complete a claim form over the phone.

Benefit Enquiry Line: BEL

Telephone: 0800 220 674
Textphone: 0800 243 787