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Northants Carers Back Flu Jab Campaign
| Author: Chris Gomm | Published: 21st October 2011 14:30 |
Carers in the county are backing NHS Northamptonshire’s campaign to encourage carers to get the seasonal flu jab, as well as a new Carers Guide to Health which contains a wealth of useful information for carers.
As a carer for someone else, it can be easy to overlook your own health and wellbeing. NHS Northamptonshire is reminding carers that flu is a risk and that they are important too.
Carers are one of the top priority groups for getting vaccinated against flu as they look after some of the most vulnerable, at risk groups, for example older people and those with long term health conditions. Getting flu when you already have a long term condition can lead to serious complications and tragically in some cases death, but these can be prevented by having the free vaccine.
Donna Sinclair and her sister Mia Crook, of Wootton Fields, care for mum Bernice, 72, who has vascular dementia. Donna looks after Bernice on weekdays during the day and Mia takes on caring duties in the evenings and at weekends. Bernice had been ill for some time before being diagnosed last Christmas. Donna and Mia were referred to the Primary Care Carers Assessment Support Worker (CASW) team who provide support, guidance and signposting to local carers. CASW is a joint initiative between Northamptonshire Carers, NHS Northamptonshire and Northamptonshire County Council.
Donna said: “Mia and I both had flu last year and we both felt really ill, so we will definitely be getting the flu jab this year, to protect not only ourselves but also mum. It is rewarding being a carer, but it is also quite hard work so when you have flu it is difficult carrying on as normal. Also, we don’t want mum to get ill so by having the jab we will be protecting her as well.”
Mia said: “We try and let mum have as normal a life as possible and she still lives in her own home. We are very grateful to the Carers Assessment Support Workers for the support they have given us to do this, especially Linda Harris, our CASW worker, who gives us so much support.”
Frank Sprules from Kettering cares for his mother Hilda, 96. Frank had cared for his mother, who has lung damage for over 20 years before he decided to seek help.
Frank, who lives with wife Sarah, said: “It is essential for my mum to have her flu jab because it is a potential killer, especially with her condition. She got a chest infection about 4 years ago and nearly died so she has had the flu jab every year since.
“It is also really important for me to get my flu jab because I sort everything out for my mum, I do her shopping, look after all her bills – if I became ill there’s no one else in the family to step in. I would urge all carers to have the jab to protect not only themselves but the person they are caring for.”
Linda Harris, Carers Assessment Support Worker said: “As a carer you want to do what you can to help and protect your loved ones. However, many carers last winter did not take the opportunity to have a free flu jab, despite making arrangements for their loved ones to have theirs.
“People with long term conditions are being encouraged to visit their local GP surgery now to have their flu jab, so we want to remind carers to book an appointment for themselves as well to get protected.
“It is very important that carers get protected against flu. It ensures the caring relationship does not break down – if the carer becomes ill, they would not be able to carry on caring as effectively.
“As well as ensuring they do not pass on flu to the person they are caring for, many carers accompany them to hospital and GP appointments where there are other vulnerable people, so having the flu jab also protects the wider community.”
More information, including a PDF version of the Carers Guide and the Winter Well Guide, is available at www.northamptonshire.nhs.uk/winter
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