Advantages of getting a carers' assessment?

[willowtree81]

My Dad is a bit reluctant to get a carers assessment, but my mum (vascular dementia & altzheimers) can't be left alone.
He wants to employ someone privately to come and sit with her when necessary (I am completely in favour of this) but I think both would be better, though I don't actually know what might come from a carers assessment. Also we are struggling to find anyone privately - don't know where to ask. Any info gratefully received.

Also, we have no emergency plans in place, I have no idea what we'd do if something happened to my Dad 😩

A carers assessment can be useful/cathartic for the carer to think about and talk about what they actually do for the cared for person, and what effect this has on them. And for them to be asked if they are willing and able to continue.

The most likely things to come out of it are being linked into voluntary sector support services locally, advice about arranging care (to reduce caring burden on themselves) and useful literature.
Voluntary sector support can include free sitting services in some areas - enabling the carer to have some time to themselves once a week and get out if they wish.
Also to help the carer think about and discuss a contingency plan and what would happen in an emergency.

It can lead to funded services but this is quite rare these days. Obviously something like respite care for the cared for person would be as a result of that persons care assessment and dependent on eligibility and means testing.
Occasionally funded help with stuff like cleaning/gardening, but this is generally where maybe the cared for person is refusing any other help like from a care agency, and as a result the carer is under great strain.

Certainly nothing to lose by having one and could be useful.

Would also get your dad on the local authority radar as a carer.

Thank you so much @DiddlySquatty that's a real help. I have talked to my Dad this afternoon listing your points and I'm pretty sure he's on board so that's great!! Thanks so much for replying.