Carers
... 51 % of 1,550 surveyed unpaid carers had to give up hobbies or personal interests due to their caring role .”
Carers
Feature
Physical health can also decline when caring for another person , as time available for exercise or physical activity is minimal . In February 2022 , The Carers Trust reported that 51 % of 1,550 surveyed unpaid carers had to give up hobbies or personal interests due to their caring role ( Carers Trust 2022 ).
During the pandemic , unpaid carers saved the health and social care system £ 530 million a day ( Employers for Carers 2020 ). This has continued ; a recent report by Carers UK found that carers save the social and health care system in England and Wales £ 162 billion a year , 29 % more in real terms than 2011 and that those contributions are roughly equivalent to the budget for NHS health service spending ( Carers UK 2023 ).
Unpaid carers supply care that would otherwise be provided by community carers or in residential settings through the social care system .
It is important to help carers and get them the support they are entitled to . Being a carer can be a very lonely journey and if just one person asks how they are , this can have a huge impact on their wellbeing .
Here are some suggestions on how we can help carers as allied health professionals :
• Make every contact count and ask the right question . Don ’ t ask : ‘ Are you a carer ?’ Instead , ask : ‘ Do you look after a someone who needs help because of their illness , frailty , disability , a mental health problem , or an addiction , and cannot cope without your support ?’
• Not all carers identify as carers , they may need help to see this is what they are doing .
• Know where to signpost and find resources for your local area .
• Don ’ t be afraid to admit you don ’ t know the answer , but find out .
• Remember , not all carers are looking after elderly relatives .
• Be aware of the different group of carers ; young carers , parent carers of children with a physical or mental illness or disability , older people caring for relatives .
• Understand carers ’ assessment rights .
• If you see carers in a primary care setting and coding indicates they are a carer , always ask how they are doing within this role .
• If you work in acute care , be aware that people can become carers very suddenly .
• See carers as individual people with their own lives .
• Involve carers in the patent ’ s care and decision making .
• Value lived experience in employees and managers .
• As managers , identify who your carers are and who may approach you for carers leave .
Useful resources
Carers UK www . carersuk . org .
Carers Trust www . carers . org .
Local service finder for your area https :// bit . ly / 3t1HZc3 .
NHS Guide for Young Carers https :// bit . ly / 3T5c84W .
Carers Assessments https :// bit . ly / 3sMoNPH . Carers at work https :// bit . ly / 40YpbXI .
... 51 % of 1,550 surveyed unpaid carers had to give up hobbies or personal interests due to their caring role .”
• As employers , use carers passports to open the conversation with staff about their caring responsibilities .
• Provide flexible working opportunities .
• Provide training to employees .
R
Carers Trust ( 2022 ) Pushed to the edge . Available from https :// bit . ly / 3RnsNj7 [ accessed 22 May 2023 ].
Carers UK ( 2023 ) Valuing carers research report . Available from https :// bit . ly / 49ZXv8W [ accessed 22 May 2023 ].
Employers for Carers ( 2022 ) Unpaid carers save UK state £ 530 million every day of the pandemic . Available from https :// bit . ly / 47QJ8lF [ Accessed 23 May 2023 ].
Words HAZEL JURD , occupational therapy student from the University of Lincoln
December 2023 OTnews 41