Tag Archives: health

What it really costs to be a carer to a loved one

SOCIETY calls them “unpaid carers” but they might prefer “husband”, “wife”, “grandparent” or “friend”.

By Surrey Mirror  |  Posted: January 17, 2015

Whatever their title, for millions of over-50s in Britain there is an unseen cost to life and their finances when they look after loved ones.

Research by Saga Personal Finance shows that nearly a fifth of Britain’s over-50s regularly care for an elderly loved one or friend, without financial reward, in their own home or at another location.

Family carers face postcode lottery

Councils differ in level of discretion they give practitioners in determining eligibility and extent of outsourcing of assessments

Photo credit: Jeff Brackler/Rex Features

Carers face a postcode lottery in access to support because of significant variations in the way councils carry out assessments, determine eligibility and allocate resources, a study has found.

The research identified differences between authorities in thresholds for accessing support, the extent to which councils allowed professionals discretion in the way they determined eligibility and in resource allocation systems for determining the size of carer personal budgets. There was also variation in the extent to which councils outsourced the provision of carers’ assessments to external organisations, such as local carers’ centres.

What’s it like to work as a care worker over Christmas?

  The role of carers in social care is crucial over the festive period. We speak to UK carers about their experience of the job

Every year tens of thousands of dedicated care and social care workers are needed to help look after vulnerable people over Christmas. Their role is crucial over the festive period, but what’s it like to work in the job during Yuletide?

“It’s not a job just for the money,” says Susan Law, who has worked as a care worker for more than 30 years for Leonard Cheshire Disability. “You’ve got to have a love of people and a willingness to help.”

Christmas is a particularly important time of year for carers, who look after the most vulnerable people in our communities. Their role at Christmas is to get each of the patients dressed and ready for the day with their families. “The continuity is important for those patients – they see a familiar face and keep their usual routine,” says Debra Watson, a care worker for Bluebird Care in Petersfield. “I particularly enjoy Christmas Day, going in and wishing everyone a merry Christmas.”