Challenging our assumptions about carers

1. Challenging our assumptions about carers Activity three powerpoint

2. A carer identifies themselves as a carer • Many dislike the title ‘carer’ – detracts from identity of being husband, wife, son, daughter • Confusion over the term ‘carer’ – often used to refer to paid care staff • Different cultures use different words to explain the concept of a carer • As a result many carers remain ‘hidden’.

3. A carer is able to voice their concerns • The cared for person might have been present (carer not wanting to upset them). • A carer may feel inhibited by the environment, job titles, uniforms. • A carer may not follow what was being said due to fatigue, anxiety, overload.

4. A carer is ‘being difficult’ when they appear angry • Likely to be an underlying cause for the anger • A carer may be in extreme difficulty rather than it being their personality • No steps may have been taken to alleviate the situation and issue is still unresolved

5. A carer will read the information you provide • Carer may simply not have time • No account taken of the carer’s condition to absorb information eg. lack of sleep, memory problems, stress • May not be in an appropriate format or language

6. A carer will have the relevant knowledge and skills • May be new to caring role with no previous experience of working in care environment • No opportunity provided to the carer for training • Information on diagnosis, prognosis and how to deal with condition not provided • Carer is included in the meeting but may be ignored

7. A carer will understand jargon and abbreviations • Carer may be entering into an unfamiliar world which is confusing and bewildering • Carer may be too embarrassed, or is not offered opportunity, to ask staff for clarification • Can lead to risks to cared for person’s health as well as their own.

8. A carer is willing to care or able to cope • Cared for person may say ‘everything is fine – my family will look after me’. Carer’s views not established • Is it clear who is the main carer? Are there hidden carers involved? Young carers? • Carer anxiety about emotional, physical and financial impact on the wider family • Carer may be ignoring or suppressing own health needs

9. A black, asian & minority ethnic (BAME) carer will not require services because of their extended family • BAME carer may experience additional difficulties combining work with caring due to lack of accessible advice and support • BAME carer may not share views of caring that are commonly associated with a particular community

10. A carer is involved in meetings with medical or social care staff • May be excluded from multi-disciplinary meetings on grounds of confidentiality leaving them worried, isolated and ill-informed • If involved, carer may feel they are ignored in discussions

11. A carer is able to support the cared for person to attend appointments • Carer may not be consulted or advised about appointment times e.g. carer unaware of letters of appointment sent to cared for person’s home • Appointment arranged at unsuitable time or suddenly changed when a carer has made special (and sometimes costly) arrangements • Carer difficulties when changing appointments