Find peace of mind through contingency planning

Do you provide unpaid care for a friend or family member?

If so, have you thought about contingency planning in case you become unexpectedly unable to provide that care?

Putting a contingency plan in place and sharing it with others can give you and your loved one peace of mind, knowing they will continue to receive the support they need even if circumstances suddenly change.

Carers Support West Sussex – a charity that works closely with West Sussex County Council – offers unpaid carers information and guidance along with emotional and practical support.

You can register free with Carers Support West Sussex on its website www.carerssupport. org.uk, where you can also find useful tips for developing a contingency plan. These include carrying a carers emergency contact card when you are out and about. This will ensure that, in the event of an emergency involving yourself, anyone helping you is aware that someone depends on you, as you may be unable to tell them yourself.

Eurfron Jones and her husband Malcolm are among those who have benefitted from developing a contingency plan after they registered with Carers Support West Sussex.

Ms Jones said: “I’d really encourage other carers who don’t have plans in place to think about it. I remember the conversation I had with Carers Support West Sussex when they asked ‘Have you thought about what might happen should anything happen to you?’. It had never entered my head that anything would happen to me.

“I think it’s really important that people know that I’m a carer, particularly in the circumstances that