Carers

Question 1

What’s the difference between social carers (paid) and unpaid carers?

Answer 1

Paid carers: staff who work with people in residential care, day centres, personal care in someone’s home

Whereas unpaid carers provide unpaid care by looking after an ill friend/relative

Question 2

Who are the main carers?

Answer 2

6.5m in UK
58% female
50-59 years peak age
Increasing number over 65

Smaller proportion of BME providing unpaid care, but more likely than white carers to provide care for NHS

LGBT data unavailable but thought to be around 400,000 in UK

Young carers (5-18, 12 years old is average)

Question 3

What do carers do? Who are they caring for?

Answer 3

Practical assistance, keep an eye on person cared for, company, take person out, assist with paperwork/finances, personal care, medicines

Parent, partner, child, friend, relative, grandparent

Question 4

What are the advantages and disadvantages of being called ‘carer’

Answer 4

Advantages: more likely to use support groups, recognition for work/contribution, sense of identity

Disadvantages: may not want to be seen as a ‘carer’ may prefer mum/son etc, locks into a role they may not want to do, undermines the person being cared for

Question 5

What are the main impacts of young carers?

Answer 5

Absence from school
Lower educational attainment
Behavioural problems/bullying
Social exclusion/isolation
Stress
Physical health problems
Traumatic life changes
Poverty 
Lack support and benefits

Question 6

What are the main impacts of adult carers?

Answer 6

Health: poorer mental and physical health themselves

Financial/Work: lower incomes, higher costs for laundry/bills etc, may have to give up job to care for someone

Relationships/Social: difficulty accessing holidays, harder to maintain relationships, few breaks from caring responsibilities

Question 7

What support is available for carers?

Answer 7

Young carers: social worker must visit to carry out a young carers needs assessment
Young carers projects: opportunities for young carers to take a break

Financial support: Carer’s Allowance for someone caring at least 35 hours a week for someone on a DSA
Carer premium payable with means-tested benefits
Carers assessment under the care act 2014: local authorities have a responsibility to assess a adult carers own needs for support

Question 8

What’s the role of Drs in supporting carers?

Answer 8

Identify whether someone has caring responsibilities and provide responsive healthcare for them too

Consider carer when planning care of patient

Signpost to services