Category Archives: Carers

Please send us some respite

December 12, 2011   Carers, Uncategorized

 

A poem written by a carer

 

*** ‘Just a little Peace’***

 

We don’t need any help, we’re managing fine,
Pile it on…pile it on…never look for a sign.
Carers work on with not much of a break,
They continue to care for a loved ones sake.

 

As the caring goes on and the load does increase,
God send us some respite, just a little peace.
Some time to go walking, kicking leaves in the park,
even just sleeping when everything’s dark.
The caring continues deep into the night,
we struggle and strive and continue to fight.
For help it is out there or so we are told,
but trying to find it…you need to be bold.

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First university in the UK to have a policy for student carers

December 12, 2011   Carers, Scotland

Student Carers ‘first’ at Glasgow University


The University of Glasgow is to formally launch its policy for student carers, the first of its kind for a UK university, at an event on Tuesday 6th December. The policy was instigated and developed by the University’s Students’ Representative Council (GUSRC).

The Student Carers’ Policy supports students who, at any point during their studies at the University, provide emotional or practical support to a relative, close friend, or neighbour, who is unable to manage alone. Also contained is guidance for University staff who have a role in advising or supporting students who already are or who anticipate becoming carers.

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More than one in ten patients who visits their GP is a carer

December 11, 2011   Carers, health

Just over one in ten patients who visits their GP is a carer. How many are on your practice list?

A carer is a person of any age, adult or child, who provides unpaid support to a partner, child, relative or friend who couldn’t manage to live independently or whose health or wellbeing would deteriorate without this help. This could be due to frailty, disability or serious health condition, mental ill health or substance misuse.

 

Being a carer comes at a physical and psychological cost

  • Up to 40% of carers experience psychological distress or depression
  • Carers have an increased rate of physical health problems e.g. providing high levels of care is associated with a 23% higher risk of stroke
  • Older carers who report ‘strain’ have a 63% higher likelihood of death in a year period than non-carers or carers not reporting strain
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