The carer's experience

Whilst being a carer can be a wonderful experience, it often means making significant adjustments to your lifestyle in order to provide necessary domiciliary care.

Around two thirds of carers will be juggling paid work whilst looking after their loved one. They often experience conflict between these dual roles. Others may have had to leave their careers because of their caring responsibilities. The loss of income creates financial pressures and a need to cut down to make ends meet. Many carers are unaware of their entitlement to benefits and will end up borrowing money.*

Evidence from research tells us that being a carer not only affects income, but physical and mental health as well. Caring can be exhausting, especially if your sleep is often disturbed, you are unwell yourself or you are shouldering the responsibility alone.

Depending upon the level of domiciliary care and support you need to give, maintaining a life outside of the home or indeed sharing the closeness you once had together can be difficult. The world of the person who needs constant care and support and their family carers can gradually shrink. Losing touch with family and friends leads to feelings of isolation and in some cases depression and anxiety.

At Bluebird Care, we understand how these challenges can be overwhelming. Our specialist domiciliary care can offer you and your family the essential support you need. Our flexible services are tailored to fit with your chosen lifestyle so you continue to enjoy the important things in your life.

*An online survey of 800 carers conducted by The Princess Royal Trust for Carers in July 2010 found 53% have borrowed money as a result of their caring role.