Free guide for carers: looking after someone at home

Help for you as a carer

• You can ask for a carer's assessment. It is free. Contact adult social services at your local council.
• It looks at how caring affects you: your health, work, free time and relationships. You can ask for it at the same time as the assessment for the person you look after.
• Help that may follow includes breaks from caring, training in moving and handling, local support groups and advice on benefits.
• If you care for someone for at least 35 hours a week, you may be able to get Carer's Allowance. The person you look after must get certain benefits. Check on GOV.UK. In Scotland it is called Carer Support Payment.
• Breaks help stop you becoming worn out. Options include a sitting service, where a trained volunteer keeps the person company for a few hours, a day centre, or a short stay in a care home. The council only pays for a break when it has assessed that one is needed.

Moving and helping them safely

Helping someone stand, walk, or get in and out of bed can hurt you both if it is done the wrong way. Back injuries are the most common injury for carers.

• If you help someone move often, get training, or ask a health professional to show you how.
• Ask the council for an occupational therapy assessment. It can show you the right way to help, and what equipment would make it safer.
• The council may provide equipment free, such as a hoist, stand aid, transfer board or slide sheet.
• Do not buy lifting equipment until an occupational therapist, physiotherapist or social worker has advised you. Try equipment before you buy it.
• Your council may run free moving and handling courses.

Helping to prevent falls

• Keep floors clear of clutter, loose wires and rugs.
• Use a non-slip mat in the bath or shower.
• Encourage regular eye tests and hearing checks. Ear problems can affect balance.
• If you think a medicine is affecting their balance, speak to their GP or pharmacist.
• Help them stay active every day. Activities that improve strength and balance, done at least twice a week, help too. Our free sheet of simple exercises is at mobilephysiotherapist.co.uk/balance-exercises.

Medicines

• Give medicines at the right time of day. Check whether each one should be taken with food or between meals.
• A pharmacist may be able to give you a pill box with a section for each time of day.
• If they take several medicines, their GP surgery may offer a free review with a pharmacist. Try to go with them, if they would like you there.
• Keep all medicines in one place, ideally locked away. Order repeat prescriptions in good time.
• Never give a double dose to make up for a missed one. Check with a pharmacist before giving a medicine you have bought.
• Never give medicine without their agreement. Check with their doctor or pharmacist before you crush tablets.

Plan for an emergency

If you were ill, or could not get to them, who would step in? Make a plan now, while things are calm.

• Ask a relative, friend or neighbour who could help at short notice. Make sure they have a key or the key safe code, and know what care is needed.
• Write down the care they need, with their medicines and any dos and don'ts. Keep it somewhere easy to find, and tell people where it is.
• Look at the plan again now and then, and keep it up to date.
• Some areas have a carers emergency card scheme. Ask your local carers service.

My emergency plan

The printable version has space to write these in:

• Name and address of the person I look after
• Who can step in (name and phone)
• Their GP surgery and pharmacy
• Their medicines, and where they are kept
• Allergies
• Care and support they get, and who provides it
• Walking aids and other equipment
• Anything else people need to know

Finding local help

Your council's adult social services can tell you about carer's assessments, equipment and local carers services. Find your council on GOV.UK.

Coming home from hospital?

Our free hospital checklist covers what to sort before they leave, home safety, when to get medical help, and a 14-day diary: mobilephysiotherapist.co.uk/after-hospital-checklist.

About this guide

Prepared by Mobile Physiotherapist UK, a team of independent physiotherapists who visit people at home. It is general information, not a personal plan, and it is not issued or approved by the NHS.

• Sources checked: 2 November 2026
• Next review due: November 2027
• Edition: November 2026

Sources

• NHS: Carer's assessments
• NHS: Carers' breaks and respite care
• NHS: Moving, lifting and handling someone else
• NHS: Medicines, tips for carers
• NHS: Falls
• GOV.UK: Carer's Allowance
• Carers UK: Getting help in an emergency

Spotted something that needs updating? Email office@mobilephysiotherapist.co.uk.