Challenges Faced by Carers
22 Mar 2021
Our team at Blue Badge work with a multitude of different Carers and we are passionate about supporting them. These individuals truly are a backbone to society, supporting vulnerable people and ensuring they are able to have a good quality of life. Carers take many forms, are of all ages and come from many backgrounds, with one common goal in mind, they work tirelessly to make the lives of other people better. Although an incredibly rewarding role, caring has its challenges, and in today’s blog, we are going to be exploring these challenges and how Carers across the UK can get the support they need. Find additional support for Carers here.
Stress
Working as a professional carer can be a very demanding job, both physically and mentally. Whether you privately care for one individual or work with multiple people throughout the day, carers face a multitude of challenges in their role. Helping people is incredibly rewarding, however, it can also be stressful as the carer holds a significant responsibility. The carer may feel like they cannot switch off, or that they are struggling to relax and make time for themselves. This can be a particular issue with private carers who set their own hours.
Being invested in a client is necessary to build and sustain a good relationship, but it is absolutely essential to have time to yourself which allows for a better experience for both parties. Take time out every week to reflect on your own mental health and check-in with how you are doing. Speak to friends and family members about your feelings which can relieve some of the pressure, or write your feelings down in a journal.
Support links for Carers
If you care for a friend or family member or as your profession, there is plenty of support available to you:
- Carers UK
- NHS Support and benefits for carers
- Age UK Help for carers looking after a loved one
- Citizens Advice Carers: Help and support
- Carers Trust
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If you know a Carer
If one of your friends or family members is a carer, there are several things which you can do to support them. One of the most essential things you can do is listen. Some individuals may not want to talk about their experiences for fear of becoming a burden, so consider trying to initiate the conversation with some non-invasive questions whereby you can judge whether they need someone to talk to. Alternatively, make sure you validate your friend or family member and assure them that you are always available if they need support and an ear to listen. Sometimes, just knowing someone is there can make a huge difference. If you know a Carer, find additional suggestions to help with Mental Health support for Carers.
As well as emotional support, helping out with practical tasks can be very valuable. Something as simple as having dinner ready when they have finished their shift, or helping out with the shopping can be a huge help. Regularly check in with them to see if they have any areas in which they need support, and be mindful not to be invasive in their life. Caring can be a demanding job, but having the support of friends and family members makes a big difference.
Young Carers
Young Carers are defined as anyone who is looking after a relative unpaid, due to a physical or mental illness or disability. One of the biggest issues here is that many people do not recognise themselves as young carers, and therefore do not get the support they need. These kind of roles are often physically and mentally demanding and can interfere with school and college, meaning the individual misses out on social and educational development. It’s essential for young carers to understand that they are in a unique situation and there is plenty of help available.
The NHS page has additional support numbers and information for Young Carers, including information on your rights as a Young Carer.
Insurance for Carers
Carers take on a huge amount of responsibility, and one of the most practical ways to receive support is by taking out insurance. Although not a legal requirement, Carers Insurance provides both yourself and your client with the peace of mind that you can complete your job to the highest standard and have mitigated any risk which comes with the job. Blue Badge’s comprehensive insurance policy includes Public liability Cover for Carers up to £5 Million for injury or damage to property, Legal expenses in the event of a liability claim, Errors or omissions whilst providing care, including administering medication, Up to 90 days cover for care provision whilst on holiday, Accidental injury to any person in your care and No fees for policy changes.
The Blue Badge team are friendly and UK based and are passionate about supporting carers across the UK. If you require further information or would like to speak to us, do not hesitate to get in contact.