Why_Can_It_Be_Difficult_to_Decide_Whether_or_Not_a_Person_Is_a_Carer_and_Does_It_Matter__Base_Your_Answer_on_the_Case_of_Someone_You_Know.

Name: Asha Renah 23 February 2011 Part A: Essay Title: Why can it be difficult to decide whether or not a person is a carer, and does it matter' Base your answer on the case of someone you know. In this short piece of writing I will talk about the reason why it’s a great significance to be able to say who is and who isn’t a carer. The value of being recognised for the work being done helps lift the feeling of isolation and helplessness.Once recognised as a carer, support and help may be provided from proffessional agencies who can offer them with support and to identify their skills in the caring sector. Jessica 27 looks after her half sister Elain 51 who suffers with stroke and vascular demential.On the 9th of Feb I paid a visit to Jessica in Cornwall and I took this time to sit with Marie and find out how she feels about the term `Carer’ There are four complicating factors concerning the name `Carer’ and they are interdependence, duration, labelling and networks. (Unit 1 pg 19-20) I want to explore each factor in relation to Jessica’s responses: Interdependence: Jessica has to remind her Sister which tablets to take and how many. She will stand by Elain while she does things and help her in her unusual mood changes e.g. depression, irritability and Jessica helps Elain to undress for bed because she is unable to do these things herself.And in return Elain is caring for jessica since she gave up her fulltime Job as a chiropodist to look after her older sister. Elain pays all the bills and contributes much on the house-hold shopping although she needs to be reminded because she have problems with language such as difficulty in finding the right words for things,getting lost in familiar surroundings and her ability to function in daily life is reduced. Elain is also there for Jessica In time of need, and she is very supportive.Elain and Jessica are carers to each other, so you could categorise both of them as carers. Duration and Frequency: There is a certain period of time involved in caring for someone, for them to be given the name `carer,’ It is clearly identified by the Carers National Association that a person who cares for more than 35 hours a week and non-commercial, is classified as a carer. Jessica spends her time at home caring for Elain, this can be a full time job, and therefore she is recognised as carer. (http://www.carers.org/carers-allowance) Labelling: Elain is always in the Hospital beause of her ill health below, so she needs help when she return home with bathing, going to the toilet etc,Jessica who care for her is called `a carer’. Jessica does not need to be labelled because she is doing something that comes naturally to care for her one and only sister as her mother and dad are both deceased.There are benefits of being labelled such as being recognised with local authorities so people can get the help they need.I asked Jessica how she felt about being labelled as a Carer and she told me that it doen’t upset her in the slightest mainly because she gets a lot of help and support from the local stroke and vascular demential’s group. Networks: Networking is someone or lots of people who are not necessarily involved in the immediate carer of someone.People who are involved in networking can be doctors, mental health nurses and occupational therapist anyone who the patient or carer sees on a regular basis forms a part of network. http://www.carers.org (http://oxforddictionaries.com) Conclusion In this essay I have looked at four complicating factors in relation to Many peoples are carers to some point that they don’t realise that there part of the network for someone.All people need care following operations, mental health problems, children and during old age, are just a few of the reasons why people need to be cared for Weather it is good to labelle people with the name carer or not is a different matter. Labelling someone can have an impression on a person’s life. However when a person is recognised as a carer they get support from agencies Jessica recieves lots of support from all kinds of organisations. If carers are not recognised then it must have been difficult to be able to get support from the organisations, looking after your family member is difficult without having other people to help, it can be extreamly distressing. For that reason I think it is important for somone who is caring for another person outside their profession to be recognised as a `Carer’