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Carers
A carer is someone who, without payment, gives help and support to a person who otherwise may not manage because of their disability, frailty or illness.
A carer may be a:
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For example:
- a mother looking after her child with a disability or a son looking after his elderly father
- a husband looking after his wife who has a terminal illness
- a young person helping to care for her brother who has learning disabilities
Carers often take on great and growing workloads for which they receive no payment. Their responsibilities may include providing personal care (washing, bathing, dressing, feeding), coping with unpredictable, volatile behaviour, cooking, housework, shopping, helping with medication and injections, as well as providing companionship and emotional support, and much more.
Many care day and night, seven days a week but do not see themselves as carers. Some carers anticipate a lifetime of care while others are suddenly thrust into the role and responsibilities of caring through trauma or illness. They may not realised that support is available to help them in their caring role.
Below are some National Carer Statistics which were compiled using information from the Census in 2001, the General Household Survey and information from Carer's Organisation: Carers UK.
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- There are 5.2 million carers in England and Wales.
- Carers save the economy £57 billion per year, an average of £10,000 per carer.
- Over 3 million people juggle care with work.
- The main carer's benefit is £46.96 for a minimum of 35 hours, equivalent to £1.34 per hour.
- 125 million people provide over 50 hours of care per week.
- People providing high levels of care are twice as likely to be permanently sick or disabled.
- Over 1 million people care for more than one person.
- 58% of carers are women and 42% are men.
- By 2037 the number of carers could have increased to 9 million.
- Every year over 2 million people become carers.
- 1.25 million care for more than 50 hours per week.
- 1.9 million care for more than 20 hours per week.
- 80% of carers are of working age.
- 1.3 million carers are over 65.
- There are 175,000 young carers in the UK (young people under the age of 18).
In September 2003 Gateshead Crossroads Caring for Carers produced a booklet, entitled 'The Real Cost of Caring'. The booklet was compiled by a small number of carers from within the community of Gateshead, who wrote short stories and poems about their caring responsibilities. Below are a couple of example's taken from the booklet. Download a copy of the The Real Cost of Caring.
The Unknown by a young carer, Aged 12
My mother got sick when I was 8 but the doctors could not see. That her smiles turned to tears but never in front of me.
I would hear her weep through my bedroom wall but never in front of me. I wanted her pain to go away, to see her laugh merrily. Could it be possible for her pain to disappear, then we could laugh merrily.
But I know that is just a dream as she continues to cry, but never in front of me.
Looking back, now I am 12 and what do I see that's easy. Mam crying but never in front of me.
Then Crossroads came to me and what did I see? That's easy - children just like me!
Grieving for the expected, acceptance of reality.
You tell me: I don't know how you cope, I don't know how you manage! Deep down my thoughts and feelings - Do I?
I wish I didn't have to - but I do.
I wish things were different - but I have no choice.
So I just need to get on with it - And I do.
The responsibility is -
All consuming, all encompassing, never ending.
Even when apart the responsibility is mine.
Always anxiety and worry -
At School, at work, an evening out, shopping.
Wherever, whenever, always waiting for the phone call.
But the rewards -
the love seeking no return, the deep, deep relationship,
the need to be needed.
The happiness when there is a glimmer of progress,
the hope for the future.
The whole life changing experience with it's immeasurable rewards.
I feel privileged and blessed to be given this responsibility -
the care for my child.
To hear the words -
"I Love You"
Is all I need to go on.
There are an estimated 25,000 carers in Gateshead alone. Care organisations in Gateshead are committed to working together to promote the needs and rights of local people who have caring responsibilities.
Gateshead Crossroads supports carers in a variety of ways, see Services. Carers in Gateshead are also supported by Gateshead Council and a number of voluntary carers groups, such as the Gateshead Carers Association.
Gateshead Council have produced a leaflet Support for Carers - Guide to Adult Care Services which gives information on how to find out if you are entitled to support, who provides support and what is available and how you can get it.
Gateshead Council's Children with Disabilities Team works with children aged 0 - 18 with physical and/or learning disabilities. The team offer emotional and practical support to children and their families in order to enhance the quality of their lives.