Preparing for a care assessment

How to Prepare for a Carer’s Assessment

If you care for someone, a carer’s assessment is an important opportunity to talk about how your caring role affects your life and what support you may need. Preparing in advance can help you feel more confident and ensure the assessment reflects your real situation.

Reflect on how caring affects your life

Before your assessment, take some time to think about the impact caring has on you day to day. This could include your physical and mental health, your ability to work, study, socialise, or rest, and how caring fits alongside other responsibilities you have.

Consider what you would like to change

A carer’s assessment is not just about what you currently do, but also about what could help make things better. Think about what support might ease the pressure on you, whether that is practical help, emotional support, breaks from caring, or access to local services.

Think about your goals and aspirations

Caring responsibilities can sometimes make it harder to do things you want or need to do in your own life. This might include returning to education, staying in work, taking a holiday, or spending time on hobbies and relationships. Be honest about any goals that feel out of reach because of your caring role.

Why preparation matters

Being prepared helps you clearly explain your needs and ensures your views are taken into account. A carer’s assessment should recognise you as an individual, not just as someone who provides care.

If you would like more information about carer’s assessments, your rights, and the support available, AccessAva can help. AccessAva provides clear, reliable guidance to help you understand your options and feel confident when accessing health and social care support.