If you are a carer, it is important to plan ahead for any times when you may be unable to provide care for the person you support.
Planning for an emergency
Emergencies are easier to deal with if you plan ahead.
You may be worried about what might happen if you:
- had to go to hospital
- had an accident
- were no longer able to care
The following are suggestions that you may find helpful to make your plan.
Message in a Bottle
Message in a Bottle was created by Lions International. They supply a bottle, with a pre-printed form and two green cross stickers. Anyone with particular medical needs can complete the form. it is then stored in the bottle, in the fridge, so that emergency responders can easily find information about someone, if they need to come to their house. It is suitable for adults or children in an emergency. the bottle holds the following:
- personal information
- contact details
- contact details for emergencies/ next of kin
- medication and information about medical conditions
The bottle is stored in your fridge, with a sticker on the fridge door and another by the front door.
The bottle and forms are free and supplied by Lions Club organisation. Paramedics, police, fire-fighters and social services support this life-saving initiative. Emergency services know to look in the fridge when they see the Message in a Bottle stickers, which are supplied with the bottles. One bottle should be used per person.
Find out more about Message in a Bottle
Emergency Carers Card
The Emergency Carer's Card Scheme is for carers who are concerned about what would happen if they were:
- taken ill
- in an accident
- stopped them from getting to the person they care for by another emergency
The card can be used to call the central office to arrange alternative carer. You can apply for the card from Cornwall Carers Service.
Find out more about the Emergency Carers Card
You can find out information about making plans for the future of the person you care for, if their needs become more than you can handle. See our information about
When the person you care for is in hospital
Hospitals in Cornwall provide support for carers, when the person they care for is in hospital. A Carers Passport sets out the support you are able to provide to the person you look after. It also provides you with flexible visiting hours, free car parking and meal/ drinks vouchers. There is a short video on the Cornwall Carers Service that explains how this works.