What It Means To Be A Carer

Introduction

According to the government's Family Resources Survey, 6% of people in the UK provide unpaid care. That's a little over 4 million unpaid carers, from a range of ages, from children to older adults. Most unpaid carers care for members of their family or close friends on a daily basis. The support carers provide to their loved ones can involve anything from cooking meals and taking them to medical appointments to assisting with mobility, continence, and administering medication. But what does it mean to be a carer? For some people, caring for their loved ones can be a full-time, unpaid job. It can be highly demanding, both emotionally and physically, and it's important that carers also take time to care for themselves. Paid carers are essentially doing the same job as unpaid carers, except that they can go home at the end of the day and take days off. It is, therefore, extremely important that as an unpaid carer, you make sure you practise self-care. Many unpaid carers find it difficult to take time for themselves, and struggle with feelings of guilt if they can't care for their loved one in the way, or as much, as they want to. It's important to recognise and acknowledge these feelings if you have them.

Respite

While it's admirable that carers go above and beyond for the person in their care, they can put their own health at risk. Even if it's just for a short period, accepting a little extra support and looking after their own wellbeing is essential for carers to continue looking after their loved one.

When a carer needs time off, whether for a holiday, a planned amount of time, or an emergency, respite cover can be brought in to take their place on a temporary basis. Respite cover can be arranged and supplied by professional carers with the knowledge and experience to look after their loved ones, as well as helping them feel comfortable and at ease. It's important to remember that everybody needs some time off, either to allow you to get away or just to enjoy some fun time with your loved one, and respite care is the best way to do this.

Financial Support

Even if caring isn't your official job, you may be entitled to an amount of Carer's Allowance. There are several criteria you must meet to be eligible, including a minimum number of hours each week that you're caring for your loved one, and a cap on your weekly income. If you receive Pension Credit, your payments will increase when you start claiming Carer's Allowance. This claim can be made online on the government website or by telephone. Carer's Allowance is a very useful benefit, which aims to make life easier for unpaid carers and the people they care for.

Get Extra Help

There is no harm in asking for extra help. Whether you need someone who can come in a couple of times a week to do the house cleaning, or an additional carer to help your loved one with specialist nursing care, getting some extra help can really take the pressure off.

Look After Yourself

You cannot expect to look after someone else if you are not well yourself. Self-care is essential, and ensuring that you are physically healthy, happy, and emotionally well is vital both to you and the person you care for. Some ways you can maintain your physical and mental health include taking time to do things you enjoy, trying to take regular exercise, eating healthy and nutritious food, going for regular check-ups at the GP, being honest about your needs, trying meditation and mindfulness, getting outside as much as you can, and discussing your struggles with others.

Psychological Wellbeing

Ensuring you are psychologically well in relation to the work you're doing as a carer is essential. To maintain a healthy relationship with your caring role, you should try to be realistic with yourself, your loved one, and other people, accept help when it's offered, confide in people about how you're feeling, support your loved one's independence, and find positivity in the relationship you have with them.

Being an unpaid carer for your loved one can be challenging and demanding. However, there is help out there that can take the pressure off without you losing control of the care you provide. Ultimately, being a carer can also be a very rewarding experience that brings you closer to your loved one. Think of it as an opportunity to spend quality time with someone you love.

More Support for Carers

Here at Careline365, we offer a life-saving personal alarm service throughout the UK. If you care for a relative or friend, you may want to consider a personal alarm system. Having an alarm in place can give you the reassurance you need to support your loved one's independence, and you won't need to worry about popping out to the shop, because your loved one can call for help with one touch of a button in an emergency. Careline365 alarm users each receive a lightweight, waterproof device of their choice. Pressing the button on the pendant will raise an instant alert in our 24-hour Response Centre, based in the UK, where an expert operator will answer the call and reassure the alarm user. We will arrange whatever help is needed, whether that's calling on a carer or neighbour to visit and assist, or calling an ambulance on the alarm user's behalf. We're always on hand to answer any questions you may have. Give us a call on 0800 101 3333.