Finding out more about long-term conditions

You may need to know more about a long-term condition such as dementia, multiple sclerosis, or something life-changing such as a stroke or brain injury. We have put together a list of some organisations that might be able to offer you help and advice.

If you are concerned about your health or the health of the person you care for, contact your GP. This list below is not a substitute for an expert medical professional's opinion.

Carers Emergency Cards

Important information about Carers Emergency Cards

Carers Network does not administer Carers Emergency Cards. If you have an enquiry about these cards, please contact your borough's Adult Social Care Team:

City of Westminster: Telephone: 020 7641 6000
Email: adultsocialcare@westminster.gov.uk

Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea: Telephone:  020 7373 2227 
Email: Visit website

Hammersmith & Fulham: Telephone: 020 8748 8588
Email: Via webform

Online resources

The NHS website is a good go-to resource. You can search it for many conditions and practical advice, e.g. about exercise.

Carers Trust advises on caring for someone with a condition such as dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, learning difficulty, alcohol or substance misuse, or mental health problems.

Dementia

For carers looking after someone living with dementia there is a new national charity Dementia Carers Count supporting families affected by all forms of dementia.

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia. The Alzheimer’s Society can advise you.

Support in Hammersmith & Fulham:

The new "Living with Dementia, Getting Help in Hammersmith and Fulham Guide" can be downloaded here

Carers can also join the Hammersmith & Fulham Dementia Alliance 
For more information please email Peggy Coles: Peggycoles02@gmail.com 

Autism

If you are caring for someone living with Autism there are several specialist autism charities including the National Autistic Society  and Autism Speaks.  

Brain injury

Headway is the national charity for people who have experienced a severe brain injury and their families.

Cancer

If you are caring for someone living with cancer there are two major national charities, Cancer Research UK and Macmillan Cancer Support which may be able to help you.

Diabetes

If the person you care for lives with a diagnoses of diabetes Diabetes UK can provide useful advice.

Hearing Loss

It might be the person you care for is experiencing hearing loss. The Royal National Institute for Deaf People supports people who are deaf, experiencing hearing loss, and tinnitus.

Heart Disease

If the person you care for has heart disease, then the British Heart Foundation can provide useful advice. 

Kidney Disease

For support with chronic kidney disease, visit the Kidney Care UK and the National Kidney Federation.

Learning Difficulties

These organisations can advise on different learning difficulties:

Learning Disabilities

And for those with a learning disability, you can get advice from:

If the cared-for person has Special Educational Needs (SEN) you can find information here: SEN resources Mencap

Mental Health

If you require advice on mental health, you can contact Mind or local Mind charities in:

Rethink Mental Illness supports people with severe mental health conditions such as schizophrenia, OCD and bipolar disorder.

Multiple Sclerosis

For advice on Multiple Sclerosis (MS), please contact the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Parkinson's

If you need information on Parkinson’s Disease, Parkinson’s UK supports people diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease and their carers. 

Physical Disabilities

For information about physical disabilities, Scope is the national charity for people living with physical disability.

HIV

For support for people living with HIV please see The Terence Higgins Trust.

Respiratory Conditions

If the person you care for has respiratory conditions, please contact the British Lung Foundation which supports people with respiratory conditions.

Sight Loss

For information on sight loss, contact the Royal National Institute for Blind People which supports blind and partially sighted people.

Stroke

If the person you care for has experienced a stroke, the Stroke Association supports both stroke survivors and their carers, and there is also a charity for younger stroke survivors called Different Strokes.

Drugs and Alcohol

You may be concerned about drug or alcohol misuse. Turning Point Health & Wellbeing can help, as can The Alcohol Service.

Self Injury Support

Self Injury Support provides confidential, anonymous, non-judgmental emotional support to anyone of any age or gender affected by self-injury, including friends and family of people who self-injure.