Caring for the Carer: Supporting and Empowering Carers all Year Round
Freelance writer Rosie Buckley shines a light on the challenges that young carers face all year round and how we can support them to ensure they have adequate time for their mental health and self-care.
Young carers have a weight on their shoulders every day of the year. Unfortunately, many incredible carers find themselves feeling burnt out and stressed whilst caring for someone else. That’s why it’s important that they take time to focus on rest and understand how taking a break can alleviate stress levels.
Understanding a Carers Challenges
Whilst looking after another human, a carer also has their own responsibilities to deal with. If they’re in education, then this includes meeting deadlines and turning up to classes. It can also involve keeping their own house in order by doing chores like washing up and hoovering. As well as all this, it’s also vital that a carer looks after their mental well-being and practices self-care. Whilst caring for someone else, it should be a top priority that they receive the support they deserve. If you know a carer who might need some extra support, hopefully, this article can give you some ideas to help you point them in the right direction.
Caring for a sibling also can be an emotionally complex experience for young carers. While many feel a deep sense of love and responsibility, it’s also common for them to feel frustrated by the limited time they have to spend with friends or pursue their own interests. This constant responsibility can lead to feelings of isolation and missing out on a typical social life. Some young carers may experience jealousy or resentment due to the increased attention and support their sibling receives from parents or professionals, leaving them feeling overlooked or less valued. These emotions are natural, but they can be difficult to talk about and manage without the right support.
Taking a Break
If a carer takes some time out, then it can allow them to recharge. It’s important that they don’t disregard themselves and leave time to do hobbies they enjoy, see friends, and just generally have a rest. Respite care can be helpful for the carer as well as their loved one. There are different forms of respite care, such as a professional helping with home support or your loved one temporarily spending time in a care home. This can allow a carer to take a bit of time to themselves to help them feel refreshed.
When they get the chance, it’s also important that a carer practices self-care. There are many ways they can do this such as meditating, exercising or doing a relaxing activity like a colouring book. Taking time to concentrate on things they love and activities which help them relax can allow an individual to feel more like themselves again. It’s important that a carer remembers not to disregard themselves completely for the sake of someone else.
Getting Mental Health Support
If you have a friend or family member who is caring for someone else, let them know you’re there for emotional support. Checking in on them with texts and phone calls can also show them that they aren’t alone. There are many charities out there who can provide support as well. There are also many support groups out there which can be useful for carers. Counselling or therapy are sometimes helpful pathways to take as well. Carers need to be aware of how they can get support, and this needs to be promoted by local organisations, places of education, and hospitals.
Seeking Financial Help
Carers may be able to get financial support if they’re eligible for it. For example, if you care for someone for at least 20 hours a week, you may be able to get Carer’s Credit. This is a National Insurance Credit, which helps with any gaps in your National Insurance Record.
Unfortunately though in the UK, young carers aged 16 and over can face a significant dilemma due to existing benefit rules. To qualify for Carer’s Allowance, they must provide at least 35 hours of care per week and not be engaged in full-time education, defined as studying more than 21 hours weekly. This forces many young carers to choose between pursuing full-time education and receiving essential financial support. Consequently, around 1 in 20 young carers missed school because of caring responsibilities. They are also four times more likely to drop out of college or university
Those in education may also be able to get help. Many universities and colleges have options to extend deadlines if needed, and you might be able to get extra funding. Most places of education also have a support team available where you can get counselling and talk to someone about what you might be going through. Again, carers need to be made aware of what help is out there.
How To Show Appreciation
It’s upsetting that many young carers feel that their work goes unnoticed by the people around them. If you have a friend or a family member who is a carer, let them know that you see the hard work they’re putting in. You might show your appreciation by doing something like making their favourite meal or giving them a small gift. If carers are aware that people see the work they do, it can be encouraging and motivating.
