Carers are still unappreciated
Aug. 24th, 2013 11:22 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
dimity_blueThe 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.
"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.