Keeping yourself and the person you care for safe

Caring for someone can be very demanding.

You will be trying your best to care for someone, but you might not have all the information you need to help you.

For example, you might not know what is / is not the right way to do things (e.g. safely supporting someone to move around), even if you feel what you are doing works to keep the person safe (e.g. using a restraint or not letting them travel on their own).

It can involve them not wanting to change, or listen about what needs changing.

Needing to make changes can be seen as a criticism, or a lack of understanding about your situation.

The risk of abuse can be greater if you:

• have unmet or unrecognised needs of your own
• have little insight or understanding of the person's condition or needs
• have unwillingly had to change your lifestyle
• are not getting practical and/or emotional support from other family members
• are feeling emotionally and socially isolated, not valued or stigmatised
• have other responsibilities such as family or work
• have no personal or private space, or life outside your caring role
• have often asked for help but problems have not been solved
• are being abused by the person you care for
• feel unappreciated or taken advantage of by the person you care for, relatives or services