Being a caregiver
Are you the support and trusted person for your parent, partner, child, or someone in your area who needs help? Helan is by your side, with practical solutions and financial support. That way, you can focus on those you care about.
What is caregiving?
Do you regularly care for someone in your immediate social environment? A partner, child, parent, or friend? Or someone who lives nearby and is dear to you? Then you are providing informal care.
Caregivers are people who temporarily or permanently care for someone who is chronically ill, has a disability, or is in need of care. This is done on an unpaid basis, at home or in a care facility. Are you a caregiver? Discover how we can provide financial and practical support.
Advance care planning
Advance care planning is for anyone who wants to remain in control of end-of-life decisions or future medical choices. Helan is happy to support you.
What is a caregiver allowed to do?
The more roles you take on, the more important it is to take good care of yourself as well. It can be a challenge to balance time and energy, but know that your care is invaluable. You wrap someone in care when they need it most. This brings fulfillment and a sense of purpose.
Unemployment allowance
Since the limitation of unemployment duration, you may be worried about your allowance.
Good news: exclusions have been temporarily suspended, so you can retain your reduced allowance while caring for a loved one.
Applications can be submitted until 31 May 2026 for the period between 1 January and 31 March 2026.
How do you become a caregiver?
Becoming a caregiver usually happens naturally. You do it out of love or necessity. However natural it may feel, it is still important to apply for an official recognition certificate as a caregiver.
There are two types of recognition:
Informal care applies to all ages. It does not matter whether you are a minor or an adult: if you provide help and care over a longer period, you may qualify for informal caregiver status.
.png/.2023-08-08-15-52-28)
Support and guidance for caregivers
Are you a caregiver for a loved one? We know that this role can sometimes be demanding. Fortunately, you are not alone. Our social workers are here to support you with advice and assistance on a practical, financial, and emotional level.
Practical questions and answers
It can happen quickly sometimes. An illness, an accident, the start of a therapy, or a rehabilitation process can mean that someone in your immediate environment needs extra help. Providing care then becomes a natural and essential response. As a caregiver, you support a loved one during a challenging time. You lend a helping hand while also showing your compassion. That support and warmth are strengthening and improve someone’s quality of life. The satisfaction you get from this is incomparable.
Caregiving can be quite demanding. Being available day and night, handling ups and downs, having your schedule turned upside down. No matter how much you care, caregiving requires a lot. It can become so intense that you may no longer be able to work full-time, or that your own energy runs out. That is why it is important to also take care of yourself. Know that as a caregiver, you are never alone. Helan stands by your side with financial and practical support and support services. Our social workers are also ready to support you with your concerns, so don’t hesitate to reach out.
Anyone who requires additional care due to illness, disability, age, psychological vulnerability, or addiction-related issues is entitled to caregiving. This applies both at home and in a care facility.
Caregiving is not the same as volunteering.
- A volunteer consciously chooses to provide care and joins an organization to do so. You can start and stop whenever you like, and you do not have a prior relationship with the person receiving care.
- A caregiver provides care when a loved one needs help. The care is therefore not provided through an organization. You usually grow into the role, and you typically do not know when the care will end.
- Home care is assistance at home provided by professional caregivers who are paid for their services.
- Caregiving is help provided by loved ones: a family member, friend, neighbour or acquaintance. They are not paid for this support.
- As a caregiver, you can arrange additional home care if needed. This helps you save time and energy to be there for the person who needs you.
Benefits and reimbursements
Providing care is not something you do alone. Helan also supports your loved one with interesting benefits and reimbursements. Here is a selection of our services: