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Who's caring for the carers?

Thoughtful Talk confidentially to Samaritans any time of the day or night.

Whatever you're going through, whether it's big or small, don't bottle it up. We are here for you if you're worried about something, feel upset or confused, or just want to talk to someone.

Carer funding 'not getting through'

Who's caring for the carers Government funding designed to allow those caring for spouses, family members or loved ones respite breaks is not getting through to those who need it most, the Mirror has reported.

Health trusts across England and Wales were assigned an additional £150 million over two years in 2008 to enable them to offer full-time carers short breaks from their roles, allowing their loved one to be looked after while they take the vital health break.

However, a new study of the scheme has concluded that up to £40 million of the £50 million that was meant to be awarded this year has failed to reach carers, with some health trusts claiming to be unaware of having received the extra funding, according to the newspaper.

Imelda Redmond, chief executive of Carers UK, told the Mirror: "It's important for people who care around the clock to get respite breaks. Otherwise they become isolated and suffer health problems themselves - carers become the patients."

Carers play an essential role in UK society, saving the Government an estimated £87 billion a year in healthcare costs, while also providing vital emotional support and a more fulfilling standard of living for those in their care, the Mirror states. It has launched a new Caring For Carers campaign in response to the revelations.

Carers 'pushed to breaking point and suicide'

There is another worrying implication of not providing adequate respite time for carers, however. Carole Cochrane, chief executive at the Princess Royal Trust for Carers, tells the Mirror: "Respite breaks are a lifeline - not just for carers but for the whole family.

Her comments are backed by a recent survey of those caring full-time for another person. The Carers Week study found that almost three quarters (74 per cent) of those questioned felt their role as carer has pushed them to breaking point at least once. Others admitted to having contemplated suicide because of the pressure they found themselves under as a carer.

The survey found the most common reason for carers reaching breaking point identified by participants was "frustration with bureaucracy", followed by the deteriorating health of the person in their care, lack of sleep and financial concerns.

Feelings of isolation and helplessness also appear to contribute to the occurrence of suicidal thoughts among carers pushed beyond what they can cope with. Michelle, from Hampshire, who cares for her 19-year-old autistic son, tells the Carers Week website: "The stress and difficulty of caring with no support has made me feel suicidal and only knowing no-one would care for my son made me not carry this through."

'I thought about suicide' - case study of a carer

One women who can empathise with Michelle is 42-year-old Cheryl Pearce from Stoke-on-Trent, who also admits to having contemplated suicide after finding herself unable to cope with the pressure of caring for her father after the death of her mother in 2008.

Ms Pearce's father Ray is wheelchair-bound and suffers from several severe medical ailments, which have included heart failure, a spinal condition, chronic arthritis and glaucoma. She tells the Mirror that on a typical day she will get up at 5:30am and spend the rest of the day juggling tending to her father, being a housewife, holding down a part-time job and looking after her five-year-old son Dylan.

Ms Pearce, who lives in Stoke-on-Trent, tells the newspaper: "It all came to a head in November last year […] I thought, 'What's the point?' Every day was the same and I couldn't see a way out.

"I considered suicide and even thinking about Dylan wasn't enough […] I wanted to have no life rather than the one I was living."

The instrumental and important role played by full-time carers does at least appear to be acknowledged by the general public, according to a recent YouGov poll of 2,000 people.

The study found that carers were ranked alongside nurses and firefighters in terms of the contribution they make to society, while 76 per cent would like to see such people provided with increased state support in the form of higher benefit entitlements.

Taking care of yourself

One of the main reasons those caring for others full-time experience emotional distress and suicidal thoughts is because they feel unable to take time out to take care of themselves, according to Carers.org.

The organisation's website states: "All too often carers can be so preoccupied with the health and well-being of the person they are caring for that their own needs take a back seat.

"However, paying more attention to yourself can be very positive for you and the person you care for."

The organisation acknowledges the practical difficulty carers have in taking time for themselves, so recommends they examine respite care opportunities within their local area as the first course of action for anyone struggling to cope with the role.

Meanwhile, it suggests there are plenty of smaller steps carers can take on a day-to-day basis in order to make sure their own needs are not neglected.

The organisation suggests "making sure you eat properly, finding what works for you to reduce your stress and trying to get a good night's sleep".

If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts or emotional distress, you can call Samaritans for support 24 hours on 08457 90 90 90 (UK) and 1850 60 90 90 (ROI), or email at jo@samaritans.org, or face to face - visit http://www.samaritans.org/ for your nearest branch.