What Matters to people
Practitioners must support a carer to plan for their carer's conversation and should consider the following:
- send the carer a list of questions in advance, this gives the carer time to think about their concerns and strengths
- discuss with the carer if they would like to invite a friend/family member to their assessment
- discuss independent advocacy and gain consent if the carer has substantial difficulty in communicating their wishes and outcomes
- encourage carers to consider plans for emergencies and their long term future
- consider transition periods, the effect on a carer and the need for robust support planning; such as, transition from young carer to adult carer, transition from hospital to community, transition from home to nursing care or supported living
- reflect on theories and research about relationships and how this impacts the carer, cared for and community aspects. Issues such as attachment, loss and life changes can enhance our understanding of the carers world, both internal and external.