6/14/2024 3:11:18 PM
Carers Awareness Week 2024 | "Putting Carers on the Map"
Carers Awareness Week is an annual campaign dedicated to highlighting the vital role of unpaid carers in our society, raising awareness about the challenges they face, and recognising their contributions to families and communities throughout the UK. This week is organised by Carers UK, with support from several other charities.
The theme for Carers Week 2024 is "Putting Carers on the Map." In a year marked by general elections, the aim is to highlight the increasing pressures on carers and advocate for the recognition and support they urgently need. This campaign is a call to action for policymakers and politicians to address the complex challenges carers face, including financial strain, employment difficulties, and impacts on health and wellbeing.
The Impact of Caring
Carers UK's ‘State of Caring Survey 2023’ engaged with over 11,000 carers, offering vital research that showcases the profound impact of caregiving responsibilities on individuals' ability to work, earn a sustainable income and their mental health. The following sections on health, finances, and employment delve deeper into these issues, highlighting key statistics from the ‘State of Caring Survey 2023’.
Health
The lack of support and recognition from health and care services is severely damaging the mental health of unpaid carers. The report highlights that those caring round the clock for older, disabled, or seriously ill relatives do not receive adequate support from the statutory services meant to assist them. This situation leaves many carers feeling hopeless, fearful, and in urgent need of support.
Statistics:
- More than a quarter (27%) of unpaid carers have bad or very bad mental health, rising to 31% of those caring for more than 50 hours a week, or for over 10 years
- 84% of carers whose mental health is bad or very bad have continuous low mood, 82% have feelings of hopelessness and 71% regularly feel tearful
- 68% of carers with bad or very bad mental health are living with a sense of fear or dread
- More than three quarters of all carers (79%) feel stressed or anxious, half (49%) feel depressed, and half (50%) feel lonely
- 65% of carers agreed that the increase in the cost of living was having a negative impact on their physical and/or mental health
- Despite feeling they are at breaking point, nearly three quarters (73%) of carers with bad or very bad mental health are continuing to provide care.
Finances
Carers are facing even greater financial difficulties. A large percentage of carers (30%) reported struggling to make ends meet, and those already burdened by the high cost of living are being further disadvantaged by the restrictions on their earning capacity set by Carer’s Allowance.
Statistics:
- 75% of unpaid carers receiving Carer’s allowance are struggling with cost-of-living pressures, while almost half (46%) are cutting back on essentials, including food and heating
- 45% of the unpaid carers receiving Carers allowance were even more likely to say they were struggling to make ends meet, compared with 39% last year.
Given the rise in the cost of living, it is unsurprising that a significant proportion of all carers who responded to the survey are worried about their ability to manage in the future:
- There has been an increase in the proportion of carers who are struggling to make ends meet compared to last year (30% compared with 27%)
- A fifth (21%) of carers are struggling to afford the cost of food. Over a third (34%) of carers said they had cut back on essentials such as food or heating compared to 25% in 2022 and 13% in 2021
- 60% of carers agreed they were worried about the impact of caring responsibilities on their finances and 62% agreed that they’ve been finding it more difficult to manage financially due to the increase in the cost of living.
Employment
The survey on carers and employment revealed that caregiving duties are significantly affecting individuals' ability to work and earn a full-time income.
Statistics:
- 40% of carers surveyed, many caring for over 50 hours a week, had given up work to provide unpaid care, and 22% of carers had reduced their working hours due to their caring role
- 57% of people who had stopped working or reduced their hours did so because of the stress of juggling work and care
- 49% of carers who had given up work or reduced their hours saw their income decrease by over £1,000 per month.
Effective from April 6, 2024, the Carer’s Leave Act permits any employee with a dependant requiring long-term care to take up to five days of unpaid leave. This entitlement is available from the first day of employment, regardless of the length of service. The Act offers vital support to those balancing unpaid caregiving with paid employment, enhancing employee retention and overall health and wellbeing. However:
- 67% of carers were unsure if their employer was preparing for the new rights under the Carer’s Leave Act
- 28% of carers did not know anything about unpaid carer’s leave.
Why are there Millions of Unpaid Carers?
Millions of people in the UK provide unpaid care or support to a family member, friend, or neighbour. However, a significant proportion of these individuals do not identify as or call themselves a carer. There are several reasons for this: some may feel that being labelled a carer depersonalises their relationship with the person they care for; others see it as a duty as a family member; and some might not think that the amount or type of care they provide qualifies them as carers. Even those who do identify as carers often take several months or even years to do so, potentially missing out on early access to essential support.
According to ‘Carers UK's State of Caring Survey 2022’, half of carers (51%) took over a year to recognise themselves as carers. For many, caring is just a part of life. While it's important to respect that not everyone will want or need to identify as a carer, it's crucial to understand the risks of not doing so. Those who don't recognise themselves as carers may not be aware of the financial or practical support available to them.
Resources Available to Carers
During Carers Week 2024, we want to ensure that carers are not only aware of but also able to access the support they need to confront these challenges. Carers have access to a wide array of assistance including Carer's Allowance, Carer's Assessments, informational resources, and guidance from organisations like Carers UK, local caregiver support groups, and various supporters of Carers Week.
To explore the support and guidance accessible to caregivers, as well as learn how everyone can contribute through sharing information, fundraising, or volunteering efforts, please visit Carers UK by clicking here. They have information covering key topics, such as:
Help and Advice
- Financial support
- Practical support
- Health and wellbeing
- Work and career
- Helpful guides, tools and resources
- Technology and equipment
- Support where you live
- Work and career
Get Involved
- Donate
- Ways to give
- Fundraise
- Volunteer
- Partner
- Campaign
How Blue Stream Academy Can Help Support Carers
Free Access to RESTORE2mini eLearning Module
Blue Stream Academy is committed to supporting carers throughout the UK by offering free access to the RESTORE2mini eLearning module. This module has been created and developed alongside experts from the South West Academic Health Science Network (South West AHSN).
RESTORE2mini Overview
The RESTORE2mini module is based on nationally recognised deterioration methodologies, including:
Supporting Care and Nursing Staff
RESTORE2mini is specifically designed to aid care and nursing staff in recognising soft signs of deterioration and escalating concerns using the SBARD framework.
The eLearning module helps carers improve communication between their own settings and other health and social care providers. It uses case studies and video sequences to ensure the correct usage of SBARD, enhancing the overall quality of care.
This valuable resource is available free of charge to all carers across the UK, whether they are caring for residents in a home or providing care in their own homes.
How to Register
By completing this eLearning module, carers can enhance their skills and knowledge, ensuring better outcomes for those they care for and providing peace of mind that they are delivering the best possible care.
Final Remarks
During Carers Awareness Week 2024, the theme "Putting Carers on the Map" highlights the urgent need to recognise and support unpaid carers. A survey by Carers UK exposes the significant challenges carers face, highlighting the need for comprehensive reform and increased awareness of available resources. Heightened awareness for unpaid carers will enable them to access essential support, improve their quality of life, and ensure their situations are respected and they are fairly integrated into the community.
We at Blue Stream Academy can offer supportive initiatives like the RESTORE2mini eLearning module to provide valuable resources to carers, however, broader changes involving policymakers are crucial to address the overarching complex issues. Let's continue to strengthen the voices of carers and advocate for the support they deserve in our communities.
What Other Services Does Blue Stream Academy Provide?
Click here for more information about Blue Stream Academy and what we offer. Alternatively, contact us via email at info@bluestreamacademy.com or speak with a team member at 01773 822549.