Anne has given up her Career to look after her father Angus.
Ann become a carer not through personal choice, but through a sense of duty and obligation. Many carers miss out on important life opportunities, particularly paid work, career.
Caring is traditionally seen as a Woman's role, 58% of carers in the UK are women. (K101, Unit 1, page 39).
People who care for a relative find it difficult to accept their role as a carer.
They also experience a loss of their personal identity, Ann Walker illustrates this by stating that she did not see herself as a 'Carer' but as a "wife, mother and dutiful daughter" (K101, unit 1, page 6).
Ann feels trapped by sense of duty, to care for Angus especially after the promise she made to her mother before she died.
Angus tries to order Ann about and can be selfish forgetting she has other needs. Bob and Zoe also want and need more attention and affection then Ann offers.
Being a family carer can be incredibly stressful and emotionally demanding.
People often have no idea of the responsibilities and expectations of being a family Carer bring.
Angus relies on Anne to be kind, patient and cheerful.
Angus sometimes comes impatient when his need are not met immediately.
This becomes very stressful for Anne she, does not want to draw attention to the loss of his power and does not want to become his servant and finds it hard to respond to him.
Angus goes from laying down the law to acting like he is a child, clinging on to her for support, wrenching ann's emotions.
Ann's family take their frustrations out on her at times.
It can be very difficult for Carers like Anne to divide time equally between Caring and other roles within the family.
This can create feelings of neglect towards other family members, placing strain on relationships and family dynamics e.g; Zoe and Bob need more attention and Anne's hands are full a lot of the time Caring for Angus.
As demands and pressures on a family Carer increase, many Caregivers may experience Carer overload.
Ann has to manoeuvre him up the stairs and she is frightened, about Angus’ fall and Anxious not to be distracted from helping him. (K101 Dvd unit 1).
Some carers need to be on call day and night, this can take a toll on physical and mental wellbeing with their own need's being neglected.
Ann feels obligated because she and Bob and Zoe live in Angus's house, and he always remind them thats its his house.
Ann feels Guilty about not caring well enough for Angus and for shouting at him, and not giving him sufficient attention at all times.
Rewards of being a family carer
Being a family carer is rewarding it is easier to care for someone you know, love and get along with.
Ann loves her father Angus which brings immense rewards
Ann also has her Bob and Zoe even though thing's is not harmonious, she isn't alone all the time with Angus, unlike many other Carer's they are alone with the person they are caring for.
Helping them and fulfilling their needs, Anne has to be there for her father Angus at all times.
Another reward would be multitasking, time management, Anne has to perform personal services such as washing, toileting, helping Angus up and don the stairs, in and out of bed and giving him his medication.
Communication e.g; Anne need to communicate with him to make sure his need are met She also keeps him company which is strengthening a bond between them.
Enhancing your own parenting skills and knowledge
Caring for someone you need all those skills.
Being a family carer also provides self satisfaction of knowing you have done all the best to improve their quality of life.
Receiving acknowledgement of your family and friends.
Keeping them safe and secure, this provides the person being cared for safety and security.
The time of caring for a family member can be one of the joys and enrichment, It could become a period of increased sharing, closeness that perhaps slipped away over time.
become a time to renew old friendships and heal those old wounds.
From past experience for me has a Caregiver the satisfaction was knowing that my family was looked after and receiving the best help whilst in the community.
You also learn how to manage their Care and the person you are caring for feels happy and safe, e.g; Angus is in his own surroundings in his own home which makes him feel secure.
Anne has learned to how to manage her father Angus's Care and knows he routine.
They share a few tender moments, she knows he appreciates the help she gives him.
Anne also has a friend Cheryl to socialise and go out with which is needed as a full time carer.
Ann's family are not well off and she does not seem to worry about money,even though she would be entitled to Carers allowance because of the care and hours that she looks after Angus, which would make her feel a bit more financial secure.
Carers allowance is the main benefit that carers are allowed to claim. It is intended for those who care for someone 35 hours each week or more.
The allowance is not income dependant and is instead a standard rate that is currently £55.55 per week (to be reviewed in April 2012). Carers premium is for individuals who receive Carers allowance and who are also entitled to claim income support Anne should be able to receive these benefits as she Cares for her father Angus more than35 hours a week. (www.directgov.uk).
Within my essay I researched the difficulties and rewards of being a family Carer. The difficulties seemed more then the rewards of Caring.
Going on personal experience's, from caring for a family member, the rewards outweigh the challenges and they are most often found in day- to -day moments that I experience through sharing my life with family members.
