Blog: Carers’ Rights Day 2022
There are an estimated 1.1 million unpaid carers in Scotland, and of this number, up to 90,000 are carers for someone living with dementia. All unpaid carers are entitled to rights set out in the Carers (Scotland) Act 2016. Sadly, many don’t know what these rights are, how to realise them, or how to access advice on support and services that can help them or their loved one.
Looking after a family member, friend or spouse as an unpaid carer can be rewarding, but it can also be exhausting and challenging. Carers often face additional financial outputs associated with caring, which will only have been exacerbated by the cost of living crisis currently being felt across the UK. There are also emotional and physical “costs of caring” that very often go overlooked.
Carers’ Rights Day 2022 is focused on highlighting these hidden “Caring Costs”, to draw attention to carers’ needs and raise awareness of how carers can realise their rights and access the right support.
The emotional toll on carers can sometimes be profound. In conversations with the About Dementia project, many unpaid carers of people with dementia report feelings of anxiety and concern around ensuring the person they look after receives adequate care:
“When things go wrong, I worry about complaining. As an unpaid carer, I worry the person I care for will get the brunt of the repercussions when I’m not there” – Unpaid Carer of A Person Living With Dementia
Sadly, many carers report feeling like they have to “fight” to advocate for the person they care for, as well as to access support for themselves:
“I have heard so many times since my mum moved into care that I am no longer a carer, so I shouldn’t be entitled to a Carer Support Plan or any support. But I still visit her every day and run around for her every day, fighting in her corner for a basic level of care”. – Unpaid Carer of A Person Living With Dementia
Carers may experience exhaustion, guilt, or other significant emotional struggles, particularly if they have to cope with seeing a decline in the health of the person they care for:
“I was amazed when my mum moved to a care home, no one ever asked how I was doing. It was a real struggle for me to see my mum declining.” – Unpaid Carer of a Person Living With Dementia
Although carers may often feel like they are fighting alone, there are resources and support out there to help. Age Scotland’s Know Your Rights campaign is a pack full of information and resources that can help carers understand and realise their rights.
The Dementia Training team offer a range of free, online Carers’ Rights workshops, which include self-study options and interactive sessions, on a whole host of topics relevant to carers, from hospital admissions to carers’ benefits.
The About Dementia team consult regularly with unpaid carers to hear their views on policy and practice, which are then used to influence change for unpaid carers and people living with dementia. Find out how you can get involved.
Finally, Age Scotland offer a range of Carers Information Guides, which include guidance on benefits and signposting to services that can help provide emotional support. These are available to view online, download, or order as print copies.
On Carers’ Rights Day and all year round, we want carers to know it’s okay to talk. Our Age Scotland Helpline is free to call and available Monday – Friday, 9-5pm.
