Carers Taking the Strain

Warning! Caring can seriously damage your health and wealth!

Those are the findings of a new survey to be published by charity Gateshead Carers Association (GCA.)

The Gateshead Carers Survey shows:

• Caring has a major impact on household finances (44 per cent of carers surveyed said they are worse off as a result of caring responsibilities)
• Caring has a major impact on carers’ health (48 per cent of carers say their caring role has made their health worse in the past year)
• Caring has a major impact on the quality of the carers’ life (68 per cent of those surveyed said that caring has meant that they have had to give up some aspects of their life such as a social life)

To make matters worse, the survey reveals that many carers are not aware of the support services available to them.

Of those surveyed, 50 per cent of carers are not aware of the Carers’ Assessment and 66 per cent had not had one.

A further 49 per cent do not have emergency plans in place for the person, for whom they care, and 57 per cent are not aware of personal budgets.

Most carers, who took part in the survey, cared for a loved one for more than 100 hours per week.

Many more carers have had to seek information and advice from charities such as GCA to guide them around the maze of services and benefits to find out what support they can claim when they become carers.

The findings of the survey have been borne out by carer Lynne Oughton, 42.

Lynne cares for four members of her family, providing “24/7” unpaid care for all of them.

She said: “You can hand in your notice in any job if you are fed up – but you can’t if you are caring at home. You also can’t clock off at 5pm.”

Lynne has been caring intensively for family members for the past 14 years.

As a result, her own health conditions have worsened. She often feels “mentally and physically exhausted,” frustrated and socially isolated.

Steve Cowen, GCA Chief Officer, said: “The results of the survey bear out what carers have told us about their lives on a daily basis.

“The survey doesn’t make for light reading but it does strengthen the case of carers, in Gateshead.

“The information will be used in future campaigning work to make sure carers’ voices are heard and fight for a better deal.”

There are an estimated 25,000 carers in Gateshead, who provide approximately £1,800-worth of care each per week.

That amounts to £45 million-worth of care provided free by carers in Gateshead every week.

In total the UK’s 6.4 million unpaid carers save the Government £119 billion a year. That equates to far more than that cost of running the entire National Health Service.

Many carers are “hidden” and do not identify themselves as carers.

A carer is a friend, relative or neighbour, who provides regular, unpaid care and support for some-one suffering illness, disability, frailty, infirmity, alcohol or substance misuse.

The survey will be launched to coincide with this year’s Carers Week.

The theme for this year’s Carers Week is the True Face of Carers and takes place between June 13 and 19.

NOTES TO EDITORS

For more information and interview opportunities, call Judith Dunn, Campaigns and Development Worker, on (0191) 490 0121 or email judith.dunn@gatesheadcarers.com.

The full survey – and executive summaries – are now available on request.

Gateshead Carers Association exists to relieve the stresses experienced by carers in Gateshead by providing information, advice and support services to carers, to help them and their dependents.

Established in 1996, Gateshead Carers Association is a registered charity.

Its aim is to support, inform and represent carers. GCA has a particular role in ensuring that the voice of carers is heard and that carers are able to influence the development of policy and services.

GCA’s current activities include running a number of interest groups including art, craft, photography and weight control, providing information and advice services and the Carers Action Forum.