UK MS Register’s Post

Video from the U.K. Carers Trust. The U.K. dedicates an entire week to acknowledging and supporting unpaid caregivers, consistently recognizing their young carer population. The U.S. needs to do the same, ensuring inclusion for our over 5.4 million Caregiving Youth. As Saul Becker wrote last year - "Tragically, little has changed, despite the publication in the last 15 years or so of research and other evidence about the numbers of young caregivers in the USA and the impacts of caring on children’s childhood, development, education, and health. The USA needs to wake itself up and take determined action to identify and reach some of the millions of children and young people who have to care for parents and other family members who have an illness, disability, mental health problems, or addiction. We have been saying this for two decades. So why is policy and practice in the USA so slow to engage with this issue when other countries around the world are accelerating ahead? Why isn’t the USA learning from the positive policies, services, and interventions for young caregivers in other countries?" "Why are young caregivers in the USA still largely invisible, hidden, and ignored? For these children, this amounts to punishing them for caregiving. Why would any country want to do that to its children and young people?" - Saul Becker, Professor of Children and Families curating the new Institute for Children's Futures at The Manchester Metropolitan University.  Carers Trust Ambassador. Registered Social Worker. The Manchester Metropolitan University Manchester, England, United Kingdom  ### Andy McGowan Feylyn Lewis, PhD Connie Siskowski, RN, PhD American Association of Caregiving Youth (AACY)

Carers Week Carers Week is an annual campaign to raise awareness of caring, highlight the challenges unpaid carers face and recognise the contribution they make to families and communities throughout the UK. It also helps people who don't think of themselves as having caring responsibilities to identify as carers and access much-needed support. A carer is anyone who looks after a family member or friend who has a disability, mental or physical illness, addiction, or who needs extra help as they grow older. The impact of caring on all aspects of life from relationships and health to finances and work can be significant. Whilst many feel that caring is one of the most important things they do, its challenges should not be underestimated. Caring without the right information and support can be tough. It is vitally important that we recognise the contribution carers make to their families and local communities, workplaces and society, and that they get the support they need. Carers need to be recognised for the difficulties they are experiencing, respected for all they are doing, provided with information, and given the support they need to care safely.

Today marks the start of Carers UK Week! From 10-16 June 2024, this years Carers Week focuses on 'Putting Unpaid Carers on the Map,' highlighting the challenges faced by carers and recognising their invaluable contributions across the UK. Anyone supporting a family member or friend with a mental or physical illness, disability, addiction, or age-related needs is a carer. This year's theme highlights the increasing pressures on unpaid carers and campaigns for their recognition and support. A Carers UK survey found: 💡 That 82% of carers anticipate significant challenges to their physical and mental health in the coming year, 💡 Nearly 60% believe that feeling valued as carers would improve their well-being. Employers can support carers by: ✔ Encouraging the Provision of a Carers Passport: This document helps carers and managers discuss and document needed flexibilities, reducing the need for renegotiation with each job change. ✔ Prioritising Flexible Working: Flexible arrangements are crucial for managing care responsibilities. ✔ Supporting Carers Networks: Forums for sharing knowledge and resources, raise awareness of caring issues. ✔ Reviewing and 'carer proofing' current policies and practice. ✔ Raising awareness of caring and caring issues in the workplace, through lunch and learns and e-Learning courses. As a primary carer for my mum, who was diagnosed with dementia just before the pandemic, I know the challenges involved. I don’t talk about it much; sometime people can be unempathetic, to one just wants to get on with it. Conversations with other carers really helps and does bring some comfort. Flexible working has been a lifesaver, and I strongly advocate for the Carers Passport—it truly helps! Today, I salute every carer, young and old, past and present, you are the true heroes of our communities. Give a shoutout to someone you know who is or was a carer. These individuals are #amazing. Aurea Jones Fiona Daniel Yvonne Brown MBE Jaspal Roopra CFCIPD Samantha Ming Cilla C. Liam Slattery For more information on support available in the UK, click here: https://www.carersuk.org/

According to Carers UK "One of the main barriers to carers getting support with their caring role is identification", This includes people self-identifying as a carer, and GPs and other health professionals identifying people as carers. In the 2022 'State of Caring report' found, "over half of all carers (51%) took over a year to recognise their caring role, with over a third (36%) taking over three years to recognise themselves as a carer." 71% of carers stated that seeing themselves primarily as a family member or friend was a barrier to identifying themselves as a carer. 🤷♀️ Why this is important? ✅ Ability to access various support services, such as respite care, financial assistance, and counselling. ✅ Enables carers to connect with other carers, fostering a sense of community and mutual support. ✅ Carers, who identify as a carer, are more likely to be aware of their rights and entitlements. … If you haven't read it already, download the report here 👉 https://buff.ly/4aVaCHN #CarersWeek #StateOfCaring #Identification #Carers

Did you know we have worked with 610 carers, providing them with a Statutory Carer Assessment to gauge how the caring role affects their life. To find out more visit https://lnkd.in/eFvut_mU #CarersSupport #WestSussex #CarerAssessment

Carers NSW welcomes the release of the report on the Federal inquiry into carer recognition; Recognising, valuing and supporting unpaid carers. Carers NSW was pleased to see the Committee overseeing the inquiry acknowledge that there is a need to strengthen the Commonwealth Carer Recognition Act 2010 and create greater accountability to achieve true carer recognition. The Committee made 22 recommendations, including: - Proposed changes to the Act to expand the definition and create greater accountability for public service agencies, - Further exploration of the establishment of enforceable rights for carers through legislation - Improving access to and effectiveness of support for carers, - Proposed priority areas for the forthcoming National Carer Strategy - Better addressing the financial impacts of caring You can read the report at: https://lnkd.in/gCgad3nU

Updated Booklet: Caring for a person with ME/CFS This newly updated comprehensive booklet considers the well-being of carers, what might be involved as part of caring for someone with ME/CFS, and the kind of help that might be necessary, plus the booklet includes personal stories. https://lnkd.in/d6rppvrJ #pwME #MECFS #MyalgicE #MyalgicEncephalomyelitis #Carers #UnpaidCarers

**Carers Week: Brian and Kate McDonnell's Caring Story (Part Two)** We're excited to share the second part of our special interview with Cavalry owners/directors, Brian and Kate McDonnell, as we continue to celebrate Carers Week. Brian and Kate talk more about the emotional ups and downs they've faced, how laughter has helped their relationship, and the deep sense of pride they've found in their experiences together. They also discuss how politics and the current care system have impacted their caring journey, sharing important thoughts on why we need a more understanding approach from those in charge. Through their honest reflections, Brian and Kate remind us of the incredible strength and love that are at the core of the caring experience. They share examples of the things they're most proud of and how these have helped their journey together. As you read the second part of this interview, you'll gain an even greater appreciation for the dedication and commitment that carers show every day. Brian and Kate's story is a powerful example of the life-changing power of care and the crucial role that carers play in our society. We invite you to join us in celebrating Carers Week by reading the final part of this inspiring interview (link below). Let's keep raising awareness about the challenges faced by carers and work towards creating a society that truly values and supports their incredible contributions. https://lnkd.in/e4j77emi #CarersWeek #Cavalry #Caregiving #Resilience #Inspiration #Empathy

Carry out a random act of kindness, with no expectation of reward, safe in the knowledge that one day someone might do the same for you. #quotesoftheday #quotes #caringforothers #caringmatters #caring #amarihomehealthandhospicecare #homehealth #hospicecare #hospice #palliativecare #seniorcare 

With around 10 million unpaid carers in the UK taking care of sick or disabled family members, we wanted to highlight one carer's experience. Although challenging, taking care of a loved one can be incredibly rewarding and on many occasions, humorous.   In our latest article we wanted to share the experiences of one family's journey and how life as a carer can have a lighter side. https://lnkd.in/eD5h5TP3   *warning - sensitive content* Written by Susan Preece #ChadwickLawrence #Carers #CarersStory