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Caring

Caring. Carers. Paid Social Carers: S taff who work with people in residential care homes, in day centres and who provide care in someone’s home Unpaid Carers: Carers provide unpaid care by looking after an ill, frail or disabled family member, friend or partner. (Carers UK 2009).

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Caring

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  1. Caring

  2. Carers • Paid Social Carers: • Staff who work with people in residential care homes, in day centres and who provide care in someone’s home • Unpaid Carers: • Carers provide unpaid care by looking after an ill, frail or disabled family member, friend or partner. (Carers UK 2009)

  3. What do carers do? • Practical help (meals, housework etc) • Personal care (washing, dressing, toileting) • Physical help (getting in and out of bed, mobility) • Finances • Administer medication

  4. Advantages of using the term ‘carer’ • May identify need and open up the way to providing services • May give recognition of the demands made upon carers and the contribution they make • May offer some carers a sense of identity – more likely to attend support groups etc.

  5. Disadvantages of using the term ‘carer’ • May lead others to see that person only in terms of that definition and its associated responsibilities • May lock some people into a role they do not want • Some may dislike or reject the ‘carer’ tag, preferring to define themselves as a son, daughter, mother, etc • Person being cared for may feel undermined if someone close is primarily defined as their ‘carer’

  6. What is the impact of caring on the carer? • Financial hardship • Restrictions on career and employment • Caring relationships can structure the carer’s life • Isolation and restricted social life • Feeling of total personal responsibility • A lack of recognition and status • A lack of support/services/useful information • The physical and emotionally demanding nature of caring • Difficulties in balancing the needs of other family members and other responsibilities • Education may be disrupted • Relationships may change in unanticipated and unwelcome ways

  7. Explain the social exclusion of carers • Carers have difficulty accessing holidays, leisure pursuits and other social activities • Many carers get few or no breaks from their caring responsibilities • Many carers look after individuals who do not receive any regular visits from health or welfare professionals • Individuals cared for by relatives less likely to receive services • Black and minority ethnic carers less likely to receive practical support

  8. What is the impact of caring on the carer’s health? • Carers have poorer mental and physical health than non-carers • Injuries due to manual handing • Stress and depression • Unable to find time for own health check-ups or do things to improve own health • May be reluctant to accept certain treatments if it interferes with caring • May discharge themselves early from hospital

  9. What is the impact of caring on young carers? • Absence from school/lower educational attainment • Behavioural problems/bullying • Social exclusion/isolation • Emotional problems/stress • Physical health problems • Traumatic life changes • Poverty • Lack support and benefits

  10. What is a carer’s assessment? • Carer’s have a legal right to an assessment of their needs • Even if the person they care for does not want to receive help from social services. • Establish what help carers require from local social services • Usually carried out by a social worker

  11. How can we improve the health of carers? • Carers need to be given early information about rights and entitlements • Provision of equipment quickly and in a timely fashion can make a huge difference • Doctors play an extremely valuable role in signposting carers to the right kinds of support • Regular health checks for carers • Professionals should acknowledge the impact of the timing and nature of health decisions • Carers need to be consulted about decisions where possible

  12. Chronic Illness

  13. Main areas affected by chronic illness? • Daily living • Social relationships • Identity (the view that others hold of them) • Sense of self (their private view of themselves)

  14. The Expert Patient Programme • Recognises the knowledge and expertise held by patients living with chronic illness • Encourages patients to become ‘key decision makers in their treatment process’ • ‘User-led self management’ for chronic diseases to be introduced to all areas of the NHS • Provides training opportunities for people with chronic conditions to develop skills to 'self-manage' their condition more effectively. • Open to all people living and coping with a long-term health condition • Led by people with chronic health conditions.

  15. Benefits of the EPP? • Patient’s condition improves/stays stable • Patients have more confidence in seeking health services for them • Patients contribute to improving health services • Fewer visits to GPs and outpatients, therefore saving NHS resources • Patients and health professionals work together to find the best care/treatment options

  16. Problems with the EPP? • May not include participation of all social groups • May exclude the most disadvantaged groups • No corresponding strategy to challenge professional attitudes

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