Carer means someone who looks after a
friend, relative or neighbour who needs
support because of illness, age or
disability.
Family Carers
(2006) - approx. 6
million saving
£57billion a year
Often feel
obligated to
care for
family
Ann and Angus
Angus (79) has
Parkinson's Disease,
Ann (37) stepdaughter
given up work to care for Angus
Difficulty seeing
herself as a carer
Does it matter? Yes for financial/practical support, to budget holders to plan carer
support, to organisations which campaign for the rights of carers and to employers
who are obliged to take account of employee's caring responsibilities.
Interdependence
- Reciprocated
support?
What affects care relationships?
Quality of relationship
Easier to
care for
someone you
like
Choice
'Are aware of acceptable
alternatives yet still
choose to care'
Support
Informal support - easier if
family/friends support you in caring
for an individual
Formal support - from outside
agencies, i.e. care support
worker in mornings/evenings
Caring a woman's role?
Considered a women's job however
men do care, usually for wives or
partners in later life.