Who are carers?
A carer is someone who, without payment, provides help and support to a member of their family, a friend or a neighbour, who could not manage otherwise because of an illness, disability or a special need.
Most carers would still not recognise themselves under the term 'carer'. They are just people trying to cope as best they can while helping to look after an elderly relative, a partner or a young child with a disability.
They may even be juggling paid work with their unpaid caring responsibilities at home.
In total there are 5.7 million adult carers across the UK, of whom almost one million are looking after somebody for more than 50 hours each week.
There are also estimated to be 50,000 young carers in the UK - young people under the age of 18 who might be helping to look after a parent, or who may be caring for a brother or sister.
These carers have no training, no holidays, no fixed hours and no fixed salary. For some it can be a 24 hour a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year commitment.
Issues & concerns for carers include:
- Lack of information & support.
- Lack of respite.
- Financial worries.
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Lack of time for themselves.
- Isolation and loneliness.
- Who will care when they can not.
- Carers own health problems.
- Lack of recognition of their role and value.
What are the effects of caring on carers?
- they are worse off since becoming carers.
- have to give up work resulting in drop of income.
- level of charges for services has caused further financial hardship.
- carers suffer from tiredness and have difficulty sleeping.
- suffer from back problems.
- suffer with depression.
- suffer from stress.
- cut back on food and essentials.
- can not afford to go on a holiday.
- have cut down on leisure activities and social life.
Hillingdon Carers, 126 High Street, Uxbridge, Middlesex UB8
1JT
Phone: 01895 811 206. Email: office@hillingdoncarers.org.uk
Website designed by Jason
King.
Website Updated by Madeleine Jarvis assisted by Adrian Amarasinghe.