Carers Emergency Card

This free scheme is for you if you’re a family member or friend who is worried about what will happen to the person you care for if you were suddenly taken ill, had an accident or have another emergency to deal with.

Both you and the person you care for will know that an emergency plan can be put into action at any time. Lots of carers who are already part of the scheme have said that the emergency plan gives them peace of mind.

The scheme is a partnership between York Carers Centre and ‘Be Independent’ (formerly Warden Call Service), and it is completely free.

How does it work?

You have a wallet-sized emergency card that you keep with you at all times. In an emergency anyone who finds this card can contact ‘Be Independent’ using the emergency number on the card. Staff at ‘Be Independent’ will look up your details and get in touch with the emergency contacts you have specified. You can still register with the scheme if you do not have any emergency contacts.

What counts as an emergency?

A crisis or emergency is a sudden, unplanned and temporary situation which means you cannot provide your usual caring role, and are prevented from making temporary arrangements.

Who can register?

To join the scheme, the person you care for must live within the City of York Council’s boundary.

You can join the scheme even if you:

• Don’t live with the person you care for
• Are not the only person providing care for someone
• Are caring for more than one person
• Are not related to the person you care for
• Don’t already have Be Independent services (this scheme is separate from their alarm call service)
• Are a young carer

How to register

• Please complete a registration form giving details about yourself and the care needs of the person you look after.
• Download the registration form below or we can post one to you.
• If you need any help filling in the form we will be able to help you, just get in touch on 01904 715 490.

Who can be an emergency contact?

Anyone who is willing to be contacted in an emergency. They may need to provide some short term care but that will depend on what is included in the emergency plan. Contacts do not have to live nearby if you are happy that they would be able to provide an appropriate level of support in an emergency, for example over the phone.

You will be asked to nominate up to three emergency contacts: these can be family members, friends or neighbours. There is a guide for emergency contacts available to download below that gives more information about what contacts are expected to do.

If you do not have any people who you can ask to be emergency contacts you can still register, as ‘Be Independent’ will assess the situation and make sure that appropriate care arrangements are made for the person you care for.

 

To find out more

phone: 01904 715 490
write: Carers Emergency Card, York Carers Centre, 17 Priory Street, York YO1 6ET
email: enquiries@yorkcarerscentre.co.uk