Unpaid caregivers need better recognition, says a social worker who cares for his mother.
Dustin McCauley-Brown from Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, studies full time and works at Home Bargains on the weekends.
Dustin said the day-to-day life is “really busy and stressful” as he has to balance chores and caring.
The Welsh Government said it was doing a “huge” amount to support unpaid carers, such as the £500 for those on care allowance.
Dustin, 19, is one of more than 580,000 people in Wales – around 23% of adults – who are unpaid to look after a relative, close friend or neighbor because of illness, disability or old age.
His mother, who has had limited mobility on her left side after two strokes, needs help with cleaning, cooking and shopping.
Dustin started supporting his mother when he was 15.
- “You Want To Be A Nan But You Have To Be A Parent”
- “I miss seeing my friends”
He said he is determined to pursue his ambition to work with children with disabilities and mental illness, but said learning can be difficult with so much to do.
“You just find the time for it,” adding, “You just get over it, you just keep going.”
He said the cost of living crisis added additional pressure.
“It’s a lot harder now than before to spread your money over the month, I’m worried.
“You have to buy groceries, gas and electricity, it’s all so expensive at the moment.
“We don’t usually heat up at all – I’m a little worried about the winter when we can’t pay for the gas and get into debt with the gas and electric company,” he said.
Elizabeth Owen from Porthcawl, Bridgend, who is caring for her husband, also said they need more financial support.
Her husband has frontal lobe dementia and moved to a nursing home in Maesteg, about 12 miles away, because of his distress.
Ms Owen said she was “terrified to think how she would cope with the expense” if he were still living at home.
“Things have changed drastically – even milk has gone up.
“My biggest problem is the cost of gas. I spend all my money on gas when I visit my husband,” she said.
“I’ve cut everything and my boiler is packed – thinking about new boiler or Christmas?”
Ms Owen said the local Bridgend Carers Center has been “a rock” to her.
The center employs staff with a variety of specialties, including benefit advisors, who can help people find out what they are entitled to and direct them to other services.
Karen Evans, who works at the center, said she’s noticed a “huge difference” in people struggling to make ends meet and said the cost of living has had a worse impact on unpaid carers.
“Carers aren’t as able to go out and work, houses need more heating, food, electricity and it’s more expensive when they need equipment for the people they care for,” she said.
“We’re trying to stay positive for them — we’re making sure they’re wearing warm clothes, wearing vests and making sure they’re eating right.”
Beth Evans, policy manager for Carers Wales, which campaigns for unpaid carers, said support for carers must be a priority.
“If caregivers cannot continue their caring role, who will pick up the pieces?” she asked.
“Carers save the Welsh economy £8.1billion a year… so it’s in everyone’s interest to look after carers and ensure the support and financial backing is there to enable them to carry on with their duties.”
The charity, which is part of Carers UK, has made a number of recommendations to both the UK and Welsh governments to ensure carers are supported, including increasing benefits in line with inflation and ensuring that unpaid carers Government anti-poverty strategies and policies are seen as a vulnerable priority group across Wales.
The Welsh Government announced it is providing grants of up to £300 a year through its Carers Support Fund, plus £200 to help with fuel costs.
“The main support for unpaid care workers – care allowance – will not be transferred,” it said.
“We continue to work with the UK Government to seek reform of Carer’s Allowance so more people are eligible.”
A UK Government spokesman said: “We recognize the valuable role played by unpaid carers and remain committed to helping them financially, along with their health, well-being and employment opportunities.”
“The universal credit includes a care component worth over £160 a month and since 2010 we have increased the care allowance, putting an extra £700 a year in carers’ pockets.
“People receiving care allowance may be eligible for other support, including benefits.”
- Six things to do when the cost of living increases
- Try our 1 pound recipe meal plan for families
- Why are prices rising so much?
Add Comment