4- Challenges For Informal Carers Flashcards
What is an informal carer?
Informal carers are individuals such as family members who provide care.
List the 5 challenges
- Income
- Health
- Dealing with Health and Social Care Systems
- Juggling care, employment and other responsibilities
- Relationship between carer and patient
Describe the challenge of “income”
They may leave their job, reduce their working hours, accept a less demanding job or take early retirement and this can all lead to a decrease in income. With extra expenses that come with caregiving the individual giving the care may become distressed because their finances may limit the resources to give care.
Describe the challenge of “Health”
If you don’t have the proper training for caring it could result in a physical injury such as straining your back. Mental health problems might be influenced by the intensity of caregiving as it can create a lot of stress if the individual becomes difficult to care for, isolation and a lack of support may prove a burden, thus creating distress. Recipient behaviour such as screaming, yelling and swearing can also negatively impact mental health which can lead to fatigue, exhaustion, insomnia and anorexia. Caregivers may also forget their own prescriptions and so health is impacted.
Describe “Dealing with Health and Social Care Systems”
Accessing services is often not easy and may require the caregiver to give up more personal time to phone the services needed. The more specialised they service, the more effort that needs to be put into contacting them.
Describe “Juggling Care, employment and other responsibilities”
Carers have a life of their own. They may have their own families who need their attention and time, obligations during their free time such as valued activities and interests and these may become more difficult due to informal caring. It may become increasingly hard for them to mange their private lives as they are often pressured for time and overworked.
Describe “Relationship between carer and patient”
Pressure and demand can put a strain on a relationship which can negatively impact emotional and psychological health. Carers may begin to doubt everything they do and not feel good enough, potentially feeling guilty, having a low self esteem and confidence.
