Are you prepared to care?

Are you prepared to care?

An ageing population is forcing more people to become full time carers for their loved ones in later life. Rochdale Borough Council is asking residents to consider: are you prepared to care?

There are over 23,260 carers in the borough and this number is only expected to rise. Nationally another 6000 people take on a caring responsibility every day. Each carer saves the local economy £18.5k a year which equates to a total national saving of £119bn a year.

National Carers Week (10-17 June 2013) aims to recognise, celebrate and raise the profile of carers and the contribution they make to those they care for, and to their communities. The Carers’ Resource has scheduled a week long programme of events and activities especially for carers across Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale. This year’s theme is ‘Prepared to Care’.

The Carers’ Resource in Rochdale recognises that supporting unpaid carers is crucial in order to keep vulnerable people as independent as possible for as long as possible, whilst reducing the financial burden on health and social care services. The number of people over 65 in the UK is forecast to increase by 50 per cent and the number of 85 year olds will double over the next two decades which begs the question; how prepared is society to deal with these changes?

Councillor Jean Hornby, cabinet member for adult care at Rochdale Borough Council said: “More and more people have to ask themselves, am I prepared to care? Thousands are finding themselves in a caring situation and the impact is felt across family generations.

“The main carers benefit ‘Carers Allowance’ is £59.75 for a minimum of 35 hours per week. That is equivalent to £1.71 per hour - a lot less than minimum wage. These people are our borough’s unsung heroes who need our admiration for the care they provide unconditionally for their loved ones. With the ageing population increasing we must ensure that we care for our carers.

“The carers that already engage with our services find The Carers’ Resource a great source of help and comfort. I’m sure many others would benefit, I would urge all carers across the borough to reach out.”

The Carers’ Resource in Rochdale is working hard making preparations for this year’s Carers Week celebrations due to take place 10-16 June 2013. Sandra Montgomery, Manager at the Carers’ Resource explains the importance of the week: “During Carers Week we hope to reach out to as many carers as possible to offer them the help and support they need to cope better with their caring situation. We offer carers free advice, information and regular, personalised short breaks as well as access to various support groups and services.

“Carers do not always recognise themselves as carers and do not easily come forward for support. They are often socially excluded, neglect their own health and wellbeing and rarely have the opportunities or time for a break and social interaction,” she added.

“If you’re a carer and you haven’t engaged with our service before please consider coming to meet us during Carers Week because we care for carers,” she said.

Event details can be found online at www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events