A growing crisis in the care sector is looming as the work and devotion of all those who care for relatives is  acknowledged as part of National Carers Week. In the West Midlands thousands look after loved ones at home, with many struggling to balance work and care commitments. They are estimated to save the region’s economy £11 billion a year, but many are fearful that both the financial and practical support they receive may be at risk as a result of  public spending cuts. Justine Halifax reports.

THE emotional and physical strain of providing long-term care at home for sick, often elderly relatives is huge – just ask anyone struggling to cope with its demands.

Often battling with tiredness, on round-the-clock alert for emergencies and with patience stretched to the limit, carers are regularly at the end of their tether.

They don’t get paid and most have no proper medical training, yet they slog away, month after month, resolute in a determination to keep their loved one out of hospitals or care homes for as long as possible.

Despite local authority care packages, varying levels of other support and helplines to call for advice, comfort and direction, the workload can be huge.

The reality is that long-term caring at home costs, big time.

It takes its toll in finances, relationships, ambitions, time and physical and mental health – all may have to be sacrificed and often are.

Now, most carers are increasingly worried that, with councils being forced to slash budgets and support groups struggling to stay afloat, the assistance and help they do receive is at risk.

A survey for this week’s National Carers Week, showed that 90 per cent of unpaid carers in the West Midlands were fearful about the cuts to services.

And half said they had no idea how they will cope if the axe falls on some of the vital support they rely on.

One local carer, who did not wish to be named, said: “I cannot work and this means my home is at risk of repossession. The person I care for will also be made homeless. We live in poverty.”

And what’s more shocking is that this is not an isolated story either.

Carers Week, which is a partnership of nine national charities – including Dementia UK, Macmillan Cancer Support and MS Society – is campaigning for greater support and recognition for carers as well as informing those who are unaware of the services and benefits they are entitled too.

Dementia UK spokesman Faradane O’Callaghan said: “The cuts to services compound the financial sacrifice people make when they start looking after someone who is ill, frail or disabled.

“Seventy-nine per cent of those surveyed say they are worse off financially since taking on their caring responsibilities.

“And when people are forced onto benefits they find that Carer’s Allowance is the lowest benefit of its kind. The Carers Week research shows that two thirds of carers are surprised at how little help they get from the Government.”

Helen Springthorpe, who is an Admiral Nurse, a qualified mental health nurse specialising in dementia, in the West Midlands, said that: “Many carers are balancing work-life and family responsibilities and their caring role can be an added pressure.

“Some may have to reduce or give up paid employment resulting in financial hardship and loss of self-identity. In these uncertain times carers are genuinely worried that the services they depend on may be vulnerable to cuts.

“Carers may experience high levels of stress, anxiety and depression which can profoundly affect their well-being and also their relationships with family members and the person they care for.

“Appropriate, timely and skilled support for carers is vital in order for them to be able to continue in their caring role.”

Admiral Nurses provide a vital lifeline for many carers.

But as the majority of Admiral Nurses are employed within the mainstream of the NHS in either a mental health trust or in primary care so their funding may well be affected too.

Figures also show that in the West Midlands almost half of the region’s carers have been a carer for more than ten years, while over 60 per cent provide more than 50 hours of care a week.

Disturbingly, 78 per cent admit to suffering health problems as a result of the pressure of being a carer.

One woman's story > > >