{"id":15398,"date":"2022-10-31T13:56:21","date_gmt":"2022-10-31T13:56:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/?page_id=15398"},"modified":"2025-02-25T13:18:37","modified_gmt":"2025-02-25T13:18:37","slug":"what-is-a-carer","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/information-and-advice\/support-for-carers\/what-is-a-carer\/","title":{"rendered":"What is a carer?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Being a carer looks different for everyone. A carer is someone who supports someone who can\u2019t carry out everyday tasks by themselves. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sense is here for you<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We support people with complex disabilities of all ages and their carers. Get in touch with our team to find out more about Sense services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Contact us<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n\n

Broadly, if you spend a significant amount of time caring for someone who is disabled, ill or has mental health issues, then you could be considered a carer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

On this page, find out more about what a carer is and how to know if you are a carer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The definition of a carer under the Care Act 2014<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Care Act 2014 is a piece of legislation that sets out the laws around social care in the UK. It defines \u201ccarer\u201d as \u201can adult who provides or intends to provide care for another adult\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This doesn\u2019t include you if you care for someone as part of a contract or as voluntary work for an organisation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Carers are sometimes referred to as \u201cunpaid carers\u201d, because caring is not their job.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Am I a carer?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It can be hard to recognise that you\u2019re a carer. You might see yourself as a partner, friend or sibling to the person you care for, rather than their carer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On average, a person may have been caring for someone for two years before they feel able to call themself a \u201ccarer\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re wondering if you are a carer, have a think about the following questions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n