role of the family carer

Replies

By wonderwoman

Re: role of the family carer
Tue 22 Apr 2008 14:40

where do start, i'm not sure what kind of insite you're looking for but here's my role.. i'm a divorced mum of twin girls with cp in whheelchairs and other problems, my day starts getting two of them ready for school which includes washing dressing toileting,breakfast,there isn't a week goes by without having app's with either paediatrician,orthopaedic,o/t, school, psycologist,dietician, the list is endless, then there's app's for having hoists,lifts and ramps, vehicle eithers erviced or repairs, adjustments to wheelchairs while they are growing,sorting out perscriptions and medication, the lsit goes on and on... then it's a constant battle with finding parking spaces and someone blocking your doors so you cent get the ramp out, does this describe enough for you, sorry if sounds alot but my tasks are endless.

By sws

Re: role of the family carer
Tue 22 Apr 2008 18:44

wonderwoman you certainly seem to be, thanks for the reply.
do you feel your community helps?

By kerry.

Re: role of the family carer
Tue 22 Apr 2008 22:08

hi sws
can i ask what exactly you are looking for and why?
I have asked a similar question here as Im doing my dissertation on parent carers. Is this what you mean?

I too am a carer: two of four children with severe disabilities;
fragile x syndrome, autism, epilepsy, tourettes, adhd, and a heart murmur.

also at full time uni 2nd year.

any good?

Kerry

By sws

Re: role of the family carer
Wed 23 Apr 2008 08:41

kerry-I have an interview in which I have to give a presentation regarding carers.
any info would be most welcome

cheers

By kerry.

Re: role of the family carer
Wed 23 Apr 2008 10:47

hi sws
I would do a power point presentation.
i would research the different types of carer e.g. carers of older spouse, carers of adult children, young carers (under 16s), parent carers,carers of elderly parent/s.
you could also mention the gendered role of caring (eg mostly female, true today and historically)
also when was the term carer first coined and when was the role of carer first established (other than being part of domestic duties for the woman)
I would research the hours spent caring, forexample, some may care for 10 hrs pw, others for 168 hrs per week.

mention the 'wages' (hahahaha) we receive as carers, that it is means tested, taxed, and the onlybenefit worked for,also that one can only receive it for one even if caring for more than one.

mention the employment problems, respite problems, lack of services......

the list is endless and i doubt you have to be that thorough but there are some things for you tothink about anyway.

okeydokes?

By kerry.

Re: role of the family carer
Wed 23 Apr 2008 10:51

ps sorry one more thing regarding our 'wages':
once one receives their pension they lose their carers allowance, even tho their caring role often continues for many years after.

plus its a good idea to listen to carers ( as service users) when deciding policy

By sws

Re: role of the family carer
Wed 23 Apr 2008 14:40

kerry, Many thanks you all deserve medals the size of frying pans!!
One last question.... what/how do you feel about the community...by the way they/we view people with disabilities??
Thanks again
s

By kerry.

Re: role of the family carer
Wed 23 Apr 2008 19:25

hi sws,
well, the govt are meant to be implementing policies to ensure disabled people become more accepted within the community, and compared to the 70s and before, i suppose they are more 'accepted' in some respects.
However, I dont really know what you mean: except that perhaps youre asking me how people generally view people/children with disabilities....
this is the million dollar question as it often depends whether the disability is 'seen' or 'hidden'.
many disabilities are unseen (like mental illness, depression etc).
My own children look perfectly normal (well, except that they are incredibly gorgeous and handsome and unique!!!!) so when they play up people tend to be rather negative and opinionated.
if they 'look' disabled people tend to be more understanding and/or accepting in many respects.

I think people can be incredibly ignorant and many find disability scary, especially a mental disability, so they may laugh, smirk, make comments etc. without thinking.

can i ask SWS what exactly is this job youre going for? why do you need to give the talk on carers? have you even been a carer or worked closely with other carers?

just curious, dont mean to pry and dont answer if you dont want to.

By Greywolf

Re: role of the family carer
Thu 24 Apr 2008 08:32

Hi SWS,

Community help - here - no go. Even a close freind stopped coming round after seing OH have sz.. There is no where to go in the community and everyone tends to keep to themselves.

Most people would either stand and stare or run a mile if OH had a sz outside. Epilepsy is not well understood by the general public and most still see it as either a drunken person, someone on drugs or a nutter. It needs more attention in the public eye, as it is little understood and frightens most. Even the GP doesn't fully understand it.

As a mum I have to be up and awake for my daughter - no matter how tired I am. My OH is often up most of the night due to 'side effects' from epilepsy, which means that I am up as well. During the day my OH gets what sleep he can - but I have to stay up.

By marie66

Re: role of the family carer
Thu 24 Apr 2008 09:09

S said 'One last question.... what/how do you feel about the community'

It kinda depends where you live, I think!

We're lucky as we live in a small town.
I work in the local community centre and my OH comes to work with me! the one day a week I can manage now.

While I hold my surgery he plays pool with the Caretaker and has a cuppa in the cafe area.

He has had a seizure in the place before as he fell asleep in the IT suite and went off on one!
He was more upset than anyone else and wanted to leave but everyone there was fine.

Maybe it's more difficult when you live in a big city as people don't necessarily know you or your situation but here everyone knows us and they also know if OH starts to slur his words of stagger a bit, they need to give me a shout quick!

I guess small communities, where everyone knows everyone else do have their advantages!

marie x