_edited.jpg)
Looking after yourself and your back
Updated September 2025
As a Carer you may need to move or help the person you care for and this can place a lot of strain on your back and other joints and muscles.  And, if you hurt yourself, it can be difficult to stop doing the movement that caused the problem and rest.
We’ve put together a list of ways you can help look after yourself with contact details for organisations offering support.​​​
​
Contents
​
​​If you have problems accessing or find any of the information requires updating, please contact us.
Get advice
Make sure you know the safest way to help someone, to prevent injury to yourself and the person you care for.  Sometimes even small changes, such as the way you stand when helping, can make a big difference. With the right equipment and advice, the need for lifting can often be avoided.  You may also be able to help the person you care for to adjust their own position - which is better for everyone.
​
If you already have pain please make time to speak to your GP.          
Remember -you need to look after yourself to be able to support someone else.
-
NHS Direct provides free information to help Carers look after their own health.  Here is the link to their information on lifting and moving.
-
BackCare UK offers information on back health and wellbeing and you can gain advice via email or by phone. Their ​useful booklets, Active Back Care, We've got your back and Eating to ease back pain are available online here.
-
Marie Curie has advice in managing practical caring tasks
​
Get helpful equipment
-
Carers UK have a room by room guide to equipment
-
Age UK has advice on  Home adaptions and aids for older people
-
Sutton ShopAbility in the St Nicholas Centre is a charity offering a loan service for people with mobility problems to hire manual wheelchairs, powered chairs and scooters. They also offer longer term hire on wheelchairs and collapsible scooters.
-
The Mobility Centre in Wallington sells mobility equipment 020 8647 9596, through their website or you can email mobilitycentre@aol.com   
-
QEF Mobility Services based in Carshalton, provides a wide range of mobility advice and offers equipment hire. Visitt their website, call 0208 770 1151 or email mobility@qef.org.uk 
​
Occupational Therapy (OT) support for equipment or home adaptations
You may also want to apply for an Occupational Therapy (OT) assessment if the person you support is struggling with everyday tasks in the home. Please see the Sutton Council website for information on the sorts of things that an OT Assessment can help with.
You can apply for an OT assessment by calling Sutton Council (Social Care) on 020 8770 5000 and asking for an Occupational Therapy assessment or using the online request form. You can also ask a professional to refer you, so please ask if this would be helpful.
​
Things to note:
​
-
There may be a waiting list for Occupational Therapy so be as specific as you can to be directed to the right team .e.g. tell the Duty Officer if you have difficulty when helping the person to move and are concerned that it may not be safe for either of you.
-
 If you have already seen an Occupational Therapist in the past, don’t worry about asking for another appointment.  Many conditions change over time and Occupational Therapists expect that people will need to try different aids. 
-
The Council may be able to provide or loan free equipment to help you with moving the person you care for, for example, sliding devices, special beds, chairs, standing aids and hoists. This applies even if the person you care for has been assessed as needing to pay for their own care. Some equipment or home adaptations do need to be paid for, but always tell the Council if your caring role involves moving and handling, eg if you are struggling to help someone out of bed.  
​​​
Carer's Assessment
If you have not done so already, you might also want to call Sutton Council Social Care and ask for a Carer’s Assessment. If you would prefer, you can also ask a member of SCC staff and we can make a referral for you.
A Carers Assessment is carried out by the local authority to look at what your caring role involves (including lifting and moving) and will assess how best to help support you with this.  ​
​
Sutton Carers Centre
For help with applying for a Carers Assessment, or any other information and advice around your caring role, please contact us.
​
Together for Sutton (TfS) is an independent, impartial, free and confidential service and advice and information service in Sutton available to all. They can be accessed online, by phone 0208 254 2616 or via the drop in centre underneath Sutton Library in the Citizens Advice Offices, St Nicholas Way SM1 1EA.
Sutton Information Hub is an online guide to local support and services, events and activities within the London Borough of Sutton. ​
​
