In the US, there are over 17 and half million family caregivers looking after an older relative who needs assistance due to limited physical or mental capabilities. Carers of older adults are themselves at greater risk of ill health often caused by stress as becoming a caregiver for a family member can be a profound and life-changing responsibility. However, while modern societies around the world rely heavily on their dedication, carers don’t always receive the support and healthcare that they require, or the breaks and compensation that they deserve. To ensure carers are just as well looked after as their elderly relatives, it’s important for them to have access to comprehensive health services together with respite care to allow them to enjoy time off from their caring duties and enjoy activities that can improve their wellbeing. In addition, governments have a responsibility to recognize their time and commitment through the payment of fair and accessible carers’ allowances.

Improving Access to Healthcare Services

One in three of the older Australians who require assistance with their daily activities receive help from their partner or spouse.  Around 40% of older Australians  Caring can be particularly demanding for older adults and their health and quality of life can be greatly affected. To address this issue, carers may be able to access specialized services that offer support from a range of health and welfare providers including social workers, physiotherapists and occupational therapists. As well as learning more about looking after their own health, carers can benefit from time off to connect with others and enjoy recreational and wellbeing activities like those on offer at Sydney’s Carers Day Out, an official event held in the city every year.  For longer periods of respite, care services can provide temporary accommodation for an elderly relative that needs assistance. While loved ones are safe and well supported, their carer can take some time for themselves to take a holiday, pursue their hobbies or simply rest. Carers then return to their valuable role feeling refreshed, well-supported and less isolated.

Offering Therapy to Address Compassion Fatigue

As well as helping carers to keep physically healthy, therapy and proactive self-care can also help carers to overcome the feelings of stress, anxiety and exhaustion that  have become known collectively as compassion fatigue. This occurs when professional and unpaid caregivers spend long hours looking after someone else’s needs. While they show great empathy and compassion in caring for elderly patients and relatives, many of whom are frail, physically disabled or living with dementia, carers often neglect their own mental health. One to one talking therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy can help carers to understand how their thoughts and behaviors are linked, and a group where carers share their feelings and experiences with other people in the same situation, can help to reduce feelings of stress and depression.

Recognizing the Value of Caregivers

Caring for an elderly loved one can be a demanding job but carers are not always well compensated for the work they do. In the UK, almost 6 million unpaid carers look after their ill or elderly loved ones. A recent scandal left thousands of carers in debt after they were unreasonably penalized for innocent mistakes made in their claims for benefit.  Government ministers are now promising to overhaul the carers allowance system to ensure that carers already under financial pressure receive proper and consistent financial support. Elsewhere, similar funding is also available to help carers through government assistance. In the US, payments through The Aid and Attendance Benefits program can be used to help cover the costs of a caregiver who may also be a relative, while Australian carers are entitled to The Carer Allowance, a fortnightly payment to assist with the extra costs of looking after an elderly relative.

In countries around the world, millions of family members provide unpaid care to their elderly relatives. Their dedication and compassion is much needed in modern society but caring for a loved one can take its toll. Easier access to health services, wellbeing activities and respite care, together with the provision of a regular carer allowance, can give unpaid carers the support they need and deserve and help to make them feel more valued.