How Do I Become a Carer For My Elderly Neighbour?

Q.

How do I become a carer for my elderly neighbour? Where do I start?

A.

We have taken this question to mean that you want to become an employed carer for your elderly neighbour, rather than wanting to care for them voluntarily.

There are a couple of ways you could look into becoming a carer for your elderly neighbour. The method you choose will depend on you and your neighbour’s circumstances:

Direct Payments

Direct payments allow those with care needs a greater deal of flexibility around the care that they receive. They allow people to arrange and pay for their own care, rather than having it organised for them by the local authority.

Your neighbour would need to be assessed and the amount of care they require per week would be taken into account. If they were eligible for direct payments, they could use this money to pay you as a carer. There are restrictions, which vary from council to council, on what direct payments can be used for.

Even if your neighbour is on a different kind of care plan currently, they could still switch to direct payments.

Private Employment

If your neighbour isn’t eligible for direct payments, they can still employ you directly using their own money.

In both these circumstances, remember that your neighbour will be your employer and you will need to have an employment contract in place.

Remember, too, that there are other benefits you may be entitled too as a carer, such as:

• Carer’s allowance: Carer’s allowance is for carers who spend at least 35 hours per week caring. The person they care for should be in receipt of Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance or certain other allowances. There are some restrictions on who can receive Carer’s allowance
• Direct payments (to pay for services)
• Income support: If you work less than 16 hours per week, you may be entitled to Income Support.

If your neighbour has a social worker, the first step will be to discuss how things could proceed with them. If not,your neighbour/a representative could discuss the situation with their GP, who can refer them for assessment. Alternatively, you or your neighbour could also contact the local authority directly. Get in touch with the social services department and they should be able to explain how you can become your neighbour’s carer and also provide information on any benefits you may be entitled to as a carer.

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