With the theme this year of ‘Getting help in tough times’, Carers Rights Day is organised by Carers UK, which recognises that families affected by illness and disabilities are often the hardest hit and struggle with additional costs of caring and lost earnings.
Carers need access to more support and more rights, otherwise they risk their own health and their jobs. Carers Rights Day aims to support carers by helping them:
- find financial help
- get a helping hand
- make the most of technology.
It is estimated by Carers UK that millions of carers’ benefits are not claimed each year. Even though more than two million people become carers, many don’t identify themselves as carers and miss out on benefits and support. For example, carers can get access to respite care to give the carer time off, help with lifting and bathing, equipment and home adaptations.
Over 850 groups from around the country are holding events for carers to help increase awareness. For example, Brent Council are hosting speakers and discussions in their town hall, and there will be stalls with information and advice for healthcare, benefits, as well as treats, head massages and henna tattooing.
You can find out more about events happening all over the country by checking the Carers UK Twitter account and the hashtag #CarersRightsDay. More information can be found on the Carers UK website.
500,000 people caring for someone with cancer also have full-time jobs
Recent findings from Ipsos MORI and Macmillan Cancer Support show that nearly half (46%) of people caring for someone with cancer are also in full-time work, totalling approximately 500,000 people in the UK. Of these, 11% provide more than 35 hours of care per week, and approximately 100,000 people provide 50 hours of care or more per week.
The findings also showed that 49% of cancer carers received no support at all, and this may explain why 46% suffered from emotional and mental health problems including stress, anxiety and depression, and 13% had physical health issues such as exhaustion, sleep and digestive problems.
Ciarán Devane, chief executive at Macmillan Cancer Support, said: “It’s vitally important cancer carers are fully supported both at home and at work to enable them to cope with the tough demands of their role.”
“If they are left to struggle on their own it will cost carers their health and even their job. It will also put a significant strain on the NHS.”
Carers support bill in Scotland passed, but a “missed opportunity”
The Social care bill was passed in Scottish Parliament on Wednesday (28 November 2012). The bill includes a provision that enables councils to continue to extend charges for support to carers, for example, to help with household tasks or training on caring for someone.
The Princess Royal Trust for Carers in Scotland (part of Carers Trust) said the plans to continue charging carers for support are “missing the opportunity to strengthen the rights of carers”.
According to The Princess Royal Trust for Carers in Scotland, there are approximately 660,000 unpaid carers and young carers in Scotland. Together, they contribute more care than the health and social workforce combined, saving more than £10 billion a year.
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