Carer’s week June 12-18th
One week to draw attention to the amazing job carers do day in day out. Is that really enough? Should we need to have such a week? Should carers not be automatically applauded and appreciated for the selfless job they do? Questions, questions. We know the answers, so then why do 3 out of 4 people who care for a loved one feel their role is not understood or valued?
Questions, questions. We know the answers, so then why do 3 out of 4 people who care for a loved one feel their role is not understood or valued?
One week is not enough to recognise the work done by carers for the other 51 weeks of the year when once again they become invisible!
Why do those people who save the Government 132 billion pounds a year according to Carers UK feel so let down? Why don’t the Government pay these carers more? £132 billion a year is the equivalent to a second NHS and yet £62.70 is the weekly value awarded to carers. This equates to 37 pence per hour, £3.13 less than the hourly rate paid to an unskilled apprentice.
Carers have to manage medication, provide physical and emotional care and support, provide a safe environment, manage medical appointment, dietary requirements, financial matters day in day out for 37p and hour and Carers UK add the caveat…” all whilst trying to manage a life of their own”.
Who listens to these carers? Who really values their roles, and cares? Pharmacies and GP’s surgeries offer “Carer Checks” but how many carers actually find the time to attend these? Do they lead to any meaningful help or support?
Carers issues are important ones. It only takes a life-changing incident for each and every one of us to suddenly become “accidental carers” or needing care ourselves. A fall at home, a stroke or just a loved one becoming less able to cope.
We are all living longer and with residential care struggling to meet demands for good care for all who need it the future is uncertain, to say the least. A hard exit from Europe will decimate our task force of employed carers and who will fill their shoes? If people don’t choose to work in the care sector now, why should they in the future. So many questions, so few answers. One certainty is,
A hard exit from Europe will decimate our task force of employed carers and who will fill their shoes? If people don’t choose to work in the care sector now, why should they in the future. So many questions, so few answers. One certainty is, however, more and more of us will find ourselves in a caring role and society and the Government need to understand the needs and struggles of carers now, to support them and the many more who will join them moving forwards.
One week is not enough to recognise the work done by carers for the other 51 weeks of the year when once again they become invisible!
One area that as a nurse and trainer is that carers who work for care homes and home care services that are registered with the care quality commission are required to complete mandatory care training. Training for the carers who look after a loved one seems rare to be offered by local authorities as well as other forms of support.