Carers are still unappreciated

[dimity_blue]

The health secretary for the Government (link goes to the BBC website), said that:

"an ageing population and a "dementia time bomb" meant helping carers stay in work was an "economic necessity" for the country."

By carers, he meant 'unpaid carers'. If they leave work they'd have to receive benefits as even carers can't live on fresh air and no food. The benefits, btw, are meagre. Yes, their rent/council tax are paid, but the rest of their bills are supposed to be covered by the invalid care allowance they receive. Minus the bedroom tax if they're receiving housing benefit and have an extra bedroom, of course.

When I stopped being a carer the invalid care allowance was the princely sum of £92 a week. It was only that high because I had no other income and was looking after my mother. Any other income/caring for your partner or spouse and that invalid care allowance drops to less than £60 a week...and that's the current rate.

The same article said:

"Meanwhile, a report has warned England is facing a shortfall in the number of people able to give vital unpaid care."

I've been a carer. I looked after my mum for 12 years - 10 of those years were without any kind of day off. It's health-degrading, nerve-straining work, as you're on call 24/7 endlessly. Well, until your health degrades to the state where you're unable to provide care any longer.

So, the Government wants people to do that at the same time as holding down a full time job. Apparently this country is filled with people who don't need downtime or even sleep.

Comments

[pattrose.livejournal.com]

my heart just broke as I read this, because there is nothing I can do or say to help other than send virtual hugs and let you know that someone else cares and agrees with you. (((((hugs)))))

[dimity-blue.livejournal.com]

Thanks, Patt. It makes me mad the way they treat carers because I know how hard the job is! Not that they view it as an actual job, which makes me even madder.

::hugs tightly::

[sammason.livejournal.com]

This is such a scandal and so much ignored. Please would you cut and paste this post, or a version of it, to friendly_crips?

[dimity-blue.livejournal.com]

Done, Sam.

I don't know whether I'm unusual in having been both sides of the fence, as it were (having been a carer and now needing care myself). Anyway, it makes me mad the way the government acts as if caring is such an easy thing.

[sammason.livejournal.com]

Thank you for posting to the comm, where I'm trying to increase the range of voices. Also thank you for telling parts of your story. You've given me food for thought about my own story, which I might write about on my own blog in a tightly filtered post.

[mab-browne.livejournal.com]

Speaking as someone who helps out the carers - yes, indeed, it's very hard work, and the people who do it deserve a great deal of support. At the end of my day, I get to walk away, unlike the family and friends at the sharp end.

[dimity-blue.livejournal.com]

Thanks, Mab. ::hugs:: I think it's hard work for professional carers and the unpaid ones too. It's not an easy job at all. But, as you said, at the end of the day, you get to walk away.

[sallymn.livejournal.com]

It is ridiculous, isn't it?

{hugs}

[dimity-blue.livejournal.com]

I bet the politicians wouldn't be willing to do it for 60 quid a week!

::hugs tightly::

[andeincascade.livejournal.com]

I keep thinking of all the years you gave your mum and now you're having to deal with this and it makes me so fucking mad. The Tories, like our GOP, have no conscience.

I'm so sorry. You deserve better.

[dimity-blue.livejournal.com]

Thanks, Ande. ::hugs tightly:: It makes me mad as well.

Labour isn't any better though. The invalid care allowance stayed at the same rate, with the same stupid rules, when they were in power. I think the only way they'd pay attention is if all the unpaid carers downed tools and walked away, but then the only people who'd suffer would be those in need of care. It's hard to abandon someone who's in such a bad situation.

[snailbones.livejournal.com]

Yep, I'm basking in my (taxable) £59 per week - never had it better, and can't imagine why I'd want to go back to work... or find time to go back to work, what with my giddy lifestyle and all. Oh, and the bit where I have to be on call 24/7? A complete doddle. Though the very nice social worker who I was entitled to see just the once did assure me that if I wanted to learn French at evening classes for a couple of hours a week they could find somebody to cover for me... Honestly, I was quite overwhelmed *g*

This country is headed for such a massive wake-up call one of these fine days - I just hope I last long enough to be laughing my arse off when it happens.

And massive hugs to you, luv. You broke your own health doing the impossible - there should be medals and parades of honour for people like you. ♥

[dimity-blue.livejournal.com]

::hugs Snail so tightly:: I know you're doing what I did - only you're looking after more people than I ever did. It's so frustrating.

Whoo - a couple of hours per week! What would you do with so much leisure time? Let's see, you're on call 24/7 for less than £60 a week... That means you get paid approx 35p an hour. Would that social worker work for that little? I think we both know the answer to that is NO!

Honestly, mate, I'd take good health over *any* amount of medals, parades and honour. Then again, if I had good health, I'd still be looking after my mum!

::hugs Snail again:: Take care of yourself.

[snailbones.livejournal.com]

*hugs you back long and hard*

I think the theory behind the (let's not forget, taxable) 35p an hour is that as you're home caring for somebody 24/7 you don't need any more than that because it's not like you're going anywhere anyway *g*

I'd take good health over *any* amount of medals, parades and honour.

And I wish that for you more than anything. What's happened to you is so far beyond unfair that... well, let's just say it makes my teeth grind.

*squishes you twice-over*

[dimity-blue.livejournal.com]

I think the theory behind the (let's not forget, taxable) 35p an hour is that as you're home caring for somebody 24/7 you don't need any more than that because it's not like you're going anywhere anyway *g*

I wouldn't be surprised if that was the reasoning behind it. And I forgot that it's taxable too - talk about adding insult to injury.

::squishes Snail in return:: Don't grind your teeth. That 35p an hour won't cover a dentist. ♥

[thisbluespirit]

/o\

(There are no words for how stupid and wrong this is. :-/)

[dimity-blue.livejournal.com]

It just boggles my mind that the government thinks people should be able to do this, as if it's easy and it won't have any effect on the carer's health. Yes, working people into the ground *is* acceptable and won't harm them at all! ::rolls eyes::

[stargatesg1971.livejournal.com]

All they look at and care about are figures, figures, figures. It's hard work looking after someone, both physcially and emotionally...I despair at what the world is coming to sometimes.

[dimity-blue.livejournal.com]

If the politicians have their way, we'll be automatons, working 24/7 on no sleep!

[stargatesg1971.livejournal.com]

Ain't that the truth....