Shropshire Council

Caring for someone else

Winter Wellness Guide for Carers 2023

The Shropshire Carers team has put together some useful information and tips to help you through the winter months, all information at your fingertips – download your copy:

Carers emergency planning

Have you ever worried about what would happen if you suddenly could not be there for the person you support and care for?

It is important for all carers to make contingency plans with the person they care for to use in circumstances where help from other people to deliver care may be required. Depending on the circumstances, this could be from family or friends or a care provider.

A good, well thought out emergency plan will give you and the person you care for peace of mind, knowing that back up support can be put in place in case you need it. Creating an emergency plan that includes key aspects of your friend or family member’s health and care can make it easier for other people to step in if you’re not able to care for them.

To create an emergency plan that fits the needs of the person you care for, you'll need to consider:

  • Details of the name and address and any other contact details of the person you look after
  • Who you and the person you look after would like to be contacted in an emergency – this might include friends, family or professionals
  • Details of any ongoing routines they follow
  • Details of any medication the person you look after is taking
  • Details of any ongoing treatment they need
  • Details of any medical appointments they need to keep

The plan should be a live document that can be and is updated regularly, in a format that's easily shared with other people who will need to discuss the plan with the person you care for.

More information can be found at Carers UK Planning for Emergencies. This gives examples of different sources of support that can strengthen your plan, such as drawing on networks of community and family support and the technology that can be used to support someone you look after. 

To make an emergency plan, download a copy to complete.

Once completed a copy of the plan can be given to key people involved in your friend or family members care, and a copy can be placed in a prominent position in the cared for persons home where someone else is likely to find it if you’re not around.

Please contact our First Point of Contact team: 0345 678 9044 during office hours, or the Emergency Duty team: 0345 678 9040 out of office hours if further support is required.​

Who is a carer?

Someone of any age who provides unpaid care for another person (of any age) who may be ill, frail, with disabilities, have poor mental health or drugs and alcohol problems, meaning they're unable to manage without this care and support.

For more information about support available if you're caring for someone, please follow the links.

Shropshire Carers Support – contact Shropshire Carers on 01743 341995 or email: Shropshire.Carers@shropshire.gov.uk