Breaks are one of the main things Carers say they desperately need. Caring is hard work and for many people it can be 24/7, often on top of other responsibilities or a Carer’s own health concerns.
Recent hikes in the cost of living has taken its toll on Carers. It costs money to take on a caring role – Carers often find they are spending more on transport, heating, laundry, refreshments while waiting around at hospitals, even taking a holiday means less choice and more cost when you need to accommodate special requirements. It costs Carers in so many ways, financially and personally to take on a caring role, and for some Carers they will be forced to give up work because balancing work and caring is just too difficult. And yet, Carers save the NHS £132 billion each year.
When you can’t safely leave your loved one, it costs money to take a break too - the cost of the replacement care, and then the cost of whatever you want to do with your break if it’s an activity, or you need to travel. But you can easily see how it’s money well spent. Not only does a Carer have a right to a life of their own. but getting a bit of time away helps to keep carers physically and mentally well, which is vital because, if they’re unwell, they won’t be able to carry on caring.
So that is why at Crossroads Care Kent, we believe that Carers breaks should be free. It is the least that a Carer should be offered in terms of support, if their caring role means it is needed. The funding to provide replacement care should be available so Carers can take that much needed break – even if that break is just going to the supermarket!
For many, many years Kent County Council has agreed with us that Carers shouldn’t have to pay for their breaks or jump through hoops to get it - and that seems only right. Imagine the situation - you’re a Carer, you’re exhausted and probably not very well off money-wise because of all the things that go with being a Carer, you really need a break.
Carers breaks need to be free and the route to a break needs to be straightforward. It doesn’t make sense to pay for lots of hoops and hurdles - it’s cheaper just to give carers the breaks.
by Irene Jeffrey