Alongside the national available guidance for carers’ support and investment, health and care systems should consider the following actions for embedding optimal handed care support and training across different pathways.
There is a plethora of guidance available outlining the need for investment in unpaid carers’ support, such as NHS England’s Carer Facts – why investing in carers matters, Commissioning for Carers Principles, Carers UK State of Caring 2022 report providing recommendations, Carers Toolkit to help health and social care organisations work together in identifying, assessing and supporting the wellbeing of carers and their families (NICE guidelines for supporting adult carers).
Alongside the national available guidance for carers’ support and investment health and care systems should consider the following actions for embedding optimal handed care support and training across different pathways.
It just felt that one carer wasn't really doing very much. You know it wasn't essential to have two as one was supervising and the other was doing the work. And also he had usually been on the commode during the day so at night it was just a quesiton of getting him ready for bed which could easily be done by one carer."
G1. Embed optimal handed care training and support for unpaid carers across all aspects of their role to enable and empower carers to provide optimal handed care to their loved ones.
This can be achieved by:
- Co-design training with caregivers: Involve caregivers in the design and delivery of training programmes to ensure relevance and effectiveness. Value their lived experiences and perspectives. Establish caregiver advisory groups to provide input into the development and evaluation of training programmes. Recruit caregivers as trainers or mentors to share their experiences and expertise.
- Create practical training spaces: Establish spaces where caregivers can practice optimal handed care skills in a safe, controlled environment with realistic equipment and scenarios that mimic real-life caregiving situations. Provide trained facilitators to guide caregivers through daily practical tasks, such as transferring a person from bed to wheelchair and then to a toilet.
- Establish peer support networks and online forums: Create structured opportunities for caregivers to connect with and learn from each other through support groups, online forums, and mentoring programmes. Facilitate regular support group meetings where caregivers can share experiences, offer advice, and receive emotional support. Moderate online forums to ensure they are safe, supportive, and informative.
- Improve accessibility and availability of training: Offer flexible training options, including online modules, evening/weekend workshops, and community-based sessions. Offer training in various formats (e.g., online, in-person, blended learning) to cater to different learning styles and preferences.
- Enhance identification and referral pathways: Implement systems to proactively identify and register unpaid caregivers within healthcare settings. Ensure clear referral pathways to appropriate support services and training programmes. Incorporate caregiver identification questions into person’s intake forms and electronic health records. Train healthcare professionals to recognise and assess caregiver needs. For example, health and care professionals should routinely ask people about their caregiving responsibilities during appointments, specifically referring to any optimal handed care requirements within their caring responsibilities and refer them to the local Carer’s Centre for assessment and support.
- Integration of training into care pathways: Embed caregiver training and support into existing care pathways and protocols for specific conditions or care settings. Integrate caregiver training and support into discharge planning processes, primary care consultations, and specialist clinics. Ensure that caregivers receive training and support as an integral part of the care plan. For example, a hospital discharge team automatically refers caregivers to relevant training programmes and support services as part of a person's discharge plan.