New figures show that 4.5 million additional people are caring for others because of the pandemic, and this is on top of the 9.1 million unpaid carers who were already caring before the pandemic according to recent figures released for Carers Week.
This week (8 – 14 June 2020) is Carers Week and we are highlighting some of the issues that face many of those of you that care for someone. Today I want to focus on the millions of family members who have been caring for older, disabled or seriously ill relatives.
The Covid-19 pandemic has added to the pressures of those of us who care for relatives and Carers Week charities are asking the government to recognise unpaid carers’ role and efforts now and prior to the pandemic.
If you are one of the millions struggling to balance the stresses of caring for a relative, remember that there is help and support out there for you.
You can access this from:
- Carers UK help and advice page – where they have information about the benefits you or the person you care for might be eligible for https://www.carersuk.org/help-and-advice
- Carers Trust help and advice page – also has information about these benefits as well as caring for a specific condition https://carers.org/help-and-info/introduction
- If you are dealing with issues because you or the person you care for has Covid-19, then the government website has some useful information specifically about that https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-providing-unpaid-care/guidance-for-those-who-provide-unpaid-care-to-friends-or-family
- Carers Week has its own website and advice, highlighting the role of carers https://www.carersweek.org/
If the person you care for has a specific mental or physical condition, then you should try the charity associated to that condition and the support groups available for you as a carer because you must also remember to take care of yourself.
If you need any legal assistance in order to put in place a Lasting Power of Attorney for Financial Decisions or Health and Care Decisions, then you can of course contact us through our contact page or you can contact me on 01869 255912 or emmastewart@brethertons.co.uk
But in the meantime, please share this information with anyone you know is caring for someone else, especially if they are one of the extra 4.5 million now caring for someone else.