New courses in Dawlish and Exeter to help carers of people with long-term conditions
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People in Dawlish and Exeter who give help to relatives or friends who are ill, disabled, elderly or in need of emotional support are to be offered free support from trained tutors.
This is part of an extra £1 million investment from NHS Devon so carers across the county can benefit from a wider range of services, including access to carers breaks and health and wellbeing checks.
The free Looking After Me (LAM) course, run by NHS Devon, will benefit adults, who may not realise they are carers, but look after people with many long-term health conditions. These include diabetes, asthma, MS, arthritis and Alzheimer’s disease.
It will help carers make time for their own needs and should make a difference to their lives by helping them take more control of their situation.
The course in Dawlish will be launched on Friday 4 November 2011 at Dawlish Hospital and will be held every Friday, for six weeks, from 2pm until 4:30pm.
The course in Exeter will be launched on Thursday 3 November 2011 at Mount St Mary’s Convent, Wonford Road, Exeter, EX2 4PF and will be held every Thursday, for six weeks, from 10am until 12:30pm.
The courses deal with communicating with family, friends and healthcare professionals and planning for the future and uses relaxation techniques, exercise, healthy eating, and problem solving.
This free courses are led by trained tutors who themselves have experience of caring for a relative or friend.
Carmel Fanconi, coordinator for LAM, said: “The course helps carers to cope with their caring situation and gives them the chance to develop the confidence to take more control of their life.
“The social side is beneficial as well as they meet with others who share similar experiences.”
A participant on the LAM course said: “It was almost like someone gave me permission to think about myself and what I wanted.
“I was feeling a bit depressed but the course helped me to find ways to think more positively. I have been able to plan for the future and this has made me feel less tired and drained.”
NHS Devon also runs Expert Patient Programme courses for people living with long-term conditions.
Anyone who would like to attend any of these courses should call free on 0800 073 0792 or email d-pc.EPP@nhs.net
All these courses are free but it is advisable to book early in order to secure a place.
