How does your caring role affect your wellbeing? The theme of Carers Week 2012 (June 18–24) is: “In sickness and in health”. According to the team behind the campaign, many carers devote so much time to looking after a family member or friend that they often end up ill themselves.
One person who knows this well is Gail Jones from Yorkshire. Gail, 45, has been caring for her mother, who has complex needs, for 20 years. Gail has asthma and has to be careful with certain medications as they could bring on an attack. After she got an infection, she was prescribed antibiotics that triggered a severe attack. She rang for medical help and was urged to come to hospital for treatment. But she felt that she couldn’t leave her mother alone overnight. Gail managed to treat her own asthma attack and fortunately recovered, but she worries that her mother’s condition would deteriorate if she wasn’t around.
“I feel it is an honour and a privilege to care for Mum, but I just wish I had the confidence to leave her with someone else,” Gail says. “The trouble is, I just don’t feel I can, and that creates a lot of stress. I was lucky that my asthma attack passed, but I know it could be a lot worse.”
Carers Week 2012 is a chance to celebrate the UK’s 6.4 million carers. Carers Week is a partnership of national charities including Age UK, Carers Trust, Carers UK, Independent Age, Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie Cancer Care, MS Society and Parkinson’s UK.
These great charities are hoping that, as a result of Carers Week 2012, carers across the country will:
Carers Week has some high-profile supporters, including former GMTV presenter Fiona Phillips. Fiona says she hopes Carers Week 2012 can again help achieve change and make a real difference to the lives of carers.
“From personal experience, I know caring can demand a lot of your time and attention, which in some cases can put pressure on other areas in your life, such a financial responsibilities and relationships,” she says. “These problems can prove to be exhausting and mentally gruelling and can really take their toll on your health and wellbeing.”
Celebrity supporter Russell Grant says he is thrilled to be supporting such a worthwhile campaign. “Far too many carers are not aware of the support and services available to them – all of which could make a substantial difference to their lives,” he says.
As part of the week-long celebrations, carers’ organisations across the country will be hosting special days and events. You can find an event near you on the Carers Week website.
The government and Employers for Carers will also be hosting a summit for employers, service and assistive technology providers, carers' organisations, and local and central government. The event is an opportunity to consider how carers can be supported to remain in work while caring, if that's what they want to do.
Carers are also sharing their stories and supporting each other on the Carers Direct Facebook and Twitter pages. Join in a conversation or let us know what you’ll be doing for Carers Week.
Carers Direct is the NHS website that provides the help and support you need in your caring role. We offer information to help you get the financial help you’re entitled to, as well as advice on getting a break from caring, going to work and much more.
If you need help now, call the Carers Direct helpline on 0808 802 0202. It’s free and open from 9am to 8pm Monday to Friday, and 11am to 4pm at weekends.
For more information about this week’s events, go to the Carers Week website.
