PIP and carers assessments

Hi everyone, hoping that someone has had experience of carer assessments and direct payments / carer personal budgets? I receive higher rate PIP for both elements and, until recently, my husband was considered my full time carer. His health has severely deteriorated recently and now I’m suddenly in the position of trying to care for him. I’m failing on all fronts, and my own health is really suffering, both physically and mentally.
My mental health nurse has suggested I have a carers assessment and says I should be entitled to extra help and support, and possibly even a carers payment or budget.
However, I’m really worried about doing this due to any negative impact on my PIP award which is due for renewal/review in 2025/26. I am getting closer to state retirement age too and don’t want to risk losing my award before then as I may have to manage on just my own income in the not-too-distant future.
We applied for attendance allowance and got it, but it’s not just about the financial support. This would also end if anything happens to him, so maintaining my own income is really important. Any advice or information would be really appreciated!

Thank you BIS. I agree entirely with everything you said and to confirm, I am not considering applying for carers allowance and don’t think I qualify anyway.
I’ve been told a carers needs assessment and personal carers budget is different to carers allowance and is aimed at ensuring the needs of the carer are met, to support their own health and wellbeing. It can be used to meet any needs agreed as part of a carers assessment, such as fees for health activities, social support, transport costs, paying for counselling, a washing machine - anything identified as part of the carers support plan. I was hoping someone may have direct experience of this and could tell me more.
However, I would still be really concerned about how it could be viewed when I come to have my PIP reviewed as you point out, so I don’t think a needs assessment is going to be something I could consider which is really sad. I don’t have any choice about trying to help and support my husband of 40+ years and the impact it is having on my own physical and mental health is going to reach a crisis very soon. I don’t have any support network to help me so it’s just me, and my husband turned down a care assessment as he doesn’t want a stranger coming in to help him with things like washing and dressing.
Thank you again for your words of wisdom BIS - I think you have confirmed the worries I already had.