A new survey via Carers Week found that six out of ten carers have suffered from depression because of the unrelenting stress of their caring role.
I work for a disability charity called Vitalise and unfortunately this fact comes as no surprise to us. We know that carers are not taking enough respite to help them cope – and we know why.
One of our own studies found that six out of ten carers suffer huge feelings of worry and guilt at the prospect of sending their disabled, frail or elderly loved ones into residential care even for just a few days’ respite, and that the issue of quality of care is the cause of their fears. They are simply terrified of letting go.
Sadly, their lack of trust in the care system is quite justified. In many cases respite care amounts to little more than ‘warehousing’ for disabled or older people in totally unsuitable surroundings. So it’s really not surprising that many family carers would rather struggle on at home, risking complete breakdown in the process, than entrust the care of their loved ones to strangers.
Vitalise provides desperately-needed respite breaks for people with disabilities and carers at our accessible UK centres. We are 50 years old this year and we know from experience that carers’ worries can be eased if they are confident that their loved ones will receive good quality care, combined with dignity and respect, in an appropriate and stimulating environment. Is this too much to ask?
There are already 6.5 million carers in the UK and this number is increasing a rate of 6,000 each day. If we are to avert a full-scale crisis in social care, the issue of quality in respite care needs to be addressed now.
For more info about our breaks and how you can support our vital work, please call 0303 303 0147, email info@vitalise.org.uk or www.vitalise.org.uk
