Health

I think carers need a wage ( paid by state ), respite, and support groups so they can have better lives and not be alone. They are working in isolation and they are saving the government a huge amount of money. Compassion should be a the root of all care - in hospital and in the home, I also worry about the huge numbers of young carers looking after disabled parents.

Totally agree. The role of carer encompasses many aspects of family and friends and as most carers will agree at the cost of their own health. Trying to maintain good health I went to the doctor with a medical issue and was dismissed as it being wear and tear, ageing and would I like to join the weight loss clinic. Oh and he gave me 90 painkillers!
My role is not one of supporting ageing parents but one of supporting my lovely daughter and three boys , two who have learning issues and one of them who also has epilepsy. At times I wonder if I can keep it up but know that I'm needed. Tears and fears are relegated to private times where no one sees. I don't need 'group' therapy but do feel there must be hundreds of people like me out there. In the 'stiff upper lip culture' of the uk us older generation need to get brave and speak up.

Cate21 @CarersUK just tweeted..
In Finland if carer claims allowance they get pension, insurance, wage and right to 3 days respite a month. Prof.Yeandle

As my hubby says, he invited his mother-in-law to stay for the weekend and that was almost 35 years ago. She has osteoporosis very badly, but still does several crosswords a day. We have ups and downs , not least because it's easy to get sucked into guilt when someone is effectively trapped at home. We are extremely lucky in being able to afford a granny flat and holidays away together for all of us. Things are definitely looking more difficult now my Mum's last friend recently passed away (she used to stay with us every weekend, in Mum's flat most of the time & also had holidays etc with us).
I think those with financial pressures must feel permanently weary and depressed.
I honestly would not know who to turn to apart from our GP for help of any sort.
At this moment, I feel really overwhelmed as my hubby has just had a quadruple heart bypass, so I have two invalids, but that situation is only temporary & I've been off buying euros - cant get anyone travel insurance at a reasonable cost but sometimes you have to just cross your fingers and have something to look forward to.

Life is very different now isn't it? My mum gave up work well before 60 and was well looked after. Our generation have been told on the one hand they need to keep on working past 70 and yet only today there was reference to people over 66 being too old to drive! Aghhh I could scream. GinnyTonic you are doing an amazing job. Have an extra G&T on us.