Full-time carers working 110 hours a week

Full-time carers looking after family members are working an average of 110 hours a week and often feel overwhelmed by their constant responsibilities, according to a new survey.

The average amount of care being provided by almost 200,000 full- and part-time carers around the State is 34 hours a week, the survey published today by Care Alliance Ireland finds.

Two out of three carers are women, with the heaviest burden of caring falling on a “sandwich generation” of women aged 45-54 years, who are caring for older parents and children.

"Caring can be an enriching and rewarding experience, while also proving a source of burden and stress where unrealistic expectations are placed on people or support is absent," said Liam O'Sullivan of Care Alliance Ireland. "The findings show the importance of providing adequate supports at a time when the 19 per cent cut to the respite care grant looms large for carers."

Cutbacks
The €325 cut to the €1,700 annual grant, which was announced in last year's budget, took effect last week.

A feeling of being overwhelmed by the constant responsibility associated with providing care, often on a 24/7 basis, was the most difficult aspect of the role, according to the survey of 250 carers.

Isolation and loneliness were also mentioned, as were financial issues.

Many carers were highly critical of the lack of support from the health and social care systems. One carer complained of having to deal with Government agencies “who treat us like we are a burden and not their most precious resource” while another referred to the “ignorance” of officials “whose job it is to provide essential help”.

Carers also said they felt frustrated and overburdened, particularly because of the gaps within support systems, and many were highly critical of a lack of recognition of their role. "It is like a job, and should be seen that way. Some days, it's 14 hours going on, it's hard work . . . You have to be the nurse, cleaner, cook, everything," said one respondent.

'Drain on their money'
Another carer said: "I care for three elderly relatives and I know my work is valuable, necessary and makes a difference. My Government, however, sees me as a drain on their money. This takes my work and makes it into nothing."

Family members were by far the main source of support for carers, followed by healthcare professionals. Financial support from the Government was also crucial for many but 10 per cent of carers said they did not receive any source of support in their roles.

Many carers spoke about the rewards associated with their caring experience. Asked what they considered the best things about being a family carer, most cited a sense of personal satisfaction and a sense of togetherness. Some carers spoke of being closer to their love one, in spite of adverse circumstances, while providing protection and safety was an important factor for many carers.