If you are the parent, son or daughter, partner, relative, friend or neighbour who takes responsibility for the care or support of someone who is finding it difficult to manage or cope at home without help, then you are a carer.  You do not have to be living with that person and 'care' can mean a commitment of anything from a few hours a week to 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

As a carer you have a number of rights.  You should expect:

• to be valued, listened to and supported,
• to be informed about the likely implications of being a carer and of help/services available to you,
• to be able to decide for yourself whether you want to take on the caring role, and if you do, to determine how much and for how long you wish to do so,
• to have your needs as a carer taken into account when you have requested an assessment from your local social services department.