Caring can affect every aspect of life, physically and emotionally, and often means putting someone else before your own needs. This can leave carers feeling vulnerable and in desperate need of help.
What more support should be available to the most vulnerable carers? Should policy makers, like the government, provide more support, or are there other options?
I have found the biggest problem is that social workers, support people etc, visit you and you think things are going to change but then nothing happens. So many times it has happened to me. I am lucky in that I don't need much support but things I have been promised never materialise.
Also, getting help should not be so difficult. Many people are vulnerable and not in a position to go looking for help or filling in multiple forms. There should be a 'one stop shop' where ALL information and help is available and it should automatically be offered to anyone who is caring for someone. The doctor's surgery could make a referral as soon as they are away of someone like this.
Yes i agree, there is very little help out there only promises that don't materialise. One thing that would make my life much easier, being a full time lone carer would for my husband, would be a blue parking badge, I was turned.
down because he did not meet the right criteria, what is the right criteria when you are struggling alone with someone with dementia. It is time the government looked into this type of help for carers.
I agree the biggest problem is social workers.
And not receiving what is promised.
I tried for three yrs to get a diagnosis & help from social services. The effort of trying daily to get help & deal 24/7 with my husband who has had dementia & Alzheimer's for 12 yrs left me with two lots of cancer. My advice wd b u may as well go it alone. There is no help, nobody cares but it's easier to deal without the empty promises rather than jump through all the useless hoops for nothing. I'm just waiting to die cos the effort of living is too much, life is a nitemare but good luck to carers everywhere
Scottish Supplementary Backdated Payment to Carers.
Free For All on Friday
New Dementia Charity