Carers are an absolutely instrumental part of our society. The work they undertake to care for loved ones saves lives, improves quality of life for those in need, and helps lessen the blow of disabling and terminal illness. Today, almost 6.5 million people are carers1, which equates to one in eight adults in the UK. Over the next couple of decades, that number is expected to rise sharply to over 9 million by 2037.
More than three million carers try to manage juggling caring with work, however 20% of carers have to give up their careers and incomes in order to care for loved-ones full-time. On average, the diligent work of carers saves the UK economy £132 billion every year2, but in kind the average carer’s allowance amounts to £64.60 for a minimum of 35 hours – equalling just £1.85 per hour.
• 72% of carers report suffering mental illness as a result of their caring responsibilities2.
• 61% report suffering physical illness as a result of caring2.
• Over 1.3 million carers provide over fifty hours of care a week2.
Who cares for the Carers?
Caring for the elderly can be highly stressful, physically demanding and sometimes all-consuming. Individuals with diverse and acute needs can need round-the-clock care and may be unable to keep good standards of health or hygiene independently. It also goes without saying that the emotional impact of caring for a loved one can be overwhelming.
Looking after yourself as a Carer
It’s very important to remember that looking after yourself as a Carer, and making sure you yourself are well and fit, should be a priority, and that there is absolutely no shame or guilt in that. Sometimes we might feel that paying attention to our own needs is being selfish, and that we should solely focus on the needs and health issues of the person we are caring for – but ultimately, it is very important to understand that caring for yourself is equally, if not more important, because if you were to fall ill or become unwell, you would be unable to care for your loved one.
This is especially true for elderly carers, who may have disabling health issues themselves – or are becoming unable to keep up with the physical demands of caring.
Respite Care
Respite Care is the practice of allowing others to care for a loved one, while you take a much-needed and much-deserved break to regain your strength and energy – physical, emotional and mental – so you can then be in a better state to continue to care for your loved one. Paxton Hall Care Home specialises in providing such respite care, allowing you to rest-assured in the knowledge that your loved one is receiving excellent, round the clock care from professional staff, whilst you take a break. Paxton Hall staff are also highly trained in the delicate provision of end-of-life care (also known as palliative care), and at providing help and support to family and carers at this difficult time, should the need arise.
Paxton Hall Care Home is a highly regarded local care home in Cambridgeshire, in the East of England, set in beautiful and serene grounds. The highly trained Staff understand the unique challenges that caring can present and are on hand to offer help and support should you need it.
Sources
[1] https://www.carersuk.org/news-and-campaigns/press-releases/facts-and-figures | Retrieved 26/06/2019
[2] Ibid. Retrieved 26/06/2019