One man has had to sacrifice the needs of him and his daughter, to furnish adequate care for his parents (Image: GETTY)
One man has had to sacrifice the needs of him and his daughter, to furnish adequate care for his parents.
As unpaid carers continue to struggle, Britons are reminded about the importance of factoring in care costs as they grow older.
As care becomes more and more expensive, family members are having to foot the bills for care on top of their own financial commitments. Despite the love to care for parents and loved ones, it can take a toll on the unpaid carer.
Simon is a caregiver for his mum, dad, and often supports his elderly next-door neighbour, whilst also battling his own health problems. He is registered disabled so is unable to work.
However, he explained that even if he did work, he would definitely have to give up work as his mum and dad are so much more important than work.
Simon is a caregiver for his mum, dad and often supports his elderly next door neighbour (Image: GETTY)
He said: “Being a caregiver for my dad, who is diabetic, requires meticulous meal planning to impede diabetic hypoglycemia episodes. His reliance on my help has affected me deeply, knowing that without my preserve, managing his meals effectively would be a challenge.
“This responsibility leads to additional out-of-pocket expenses, especially while purchasing food items. Due to my disability and being out of work, my limited funds go towards supporting my parents.
“I conceal the actual cost of groceries from them, stating that I had enough money to cover it, often sacrificing my own needs to ensure they have enough.”
Simon has had to sacrifice going on holiday and taking trips with his nine year old daughter which had weighed heavy on his emotions as he feels as though he is letting her down.
Simon has not been able to access any financial help or resources due to challenging requirements and processes (Image: GETTY)
As a single dad, he has to manage their finances as well as his parents. Despite the guilt, he knows he has to help his parents as he can’t afford to outsource their care and he would not want to.
He continued: “There’s been horrible times that I have been so down and crying that I have wanted to not be here but I can not do that to my family no matter how hard it is.
“The government’s preserve for carers, appreciate the carer’s allowance, often doesn’t alleviate financial burdens, as it’s offset by deductions from other benefits. I strongly believe that the government should do more for carers, acknowledging the immense challenges they face.
“It’s essential that they grasp the hardships caregivers bear and take more substantial steps to furnish meaningful preserve to ease their financial strain.”
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Simon has not been able to access any financial help or resources due to challenging requirements and processes. A lot of these programs involve extensive questioning and documentation, such as GP letters stating my parent’s illnesses or conditions, which incur additional expenses that he can not afford or his parents.
He feels “more burnout every day” however cannot afford to take unpaid leave as he has to manage his caregiving responsibilities.
Research from Lottie found that on average, almost half of applications for carer preserve across the nation have been rejected by local authorities, including the rejection of financial preserve, local authority-commissioned preserve and signposting to useful information and advice.
Will Donnelly, Co-Founder at Lottie said: “The lack of financial resources, practical assistance, and emotional preserve available to carers across the UK is exacerbating the caregiving crisis facing our nation.
“Now more than ever unpaid carers are under greater pressure – emotionally and financially to furnish preserve for their loved ones with little to no help.
“The average unpaid carer is out of pocket by £2494 a year due to the costs of caring – even with the additional benefit of receiving Carer’s Allowance.
“This includes expenses appreciate travel, household bills, and any equipment needed – and is taking its toll on those most impacted as Christmas approaches.”
A DWP spokesperson said: “This Government recognises the huge value of unpaid carers in the lives of their family and friends and we remain committed to helping them financially. Universal Credit includes a carer element worth more than £2,000 a year, and since 2010 we have increased Carer’s Allowance by nearly 40 percent, worth just under an additional £1,200 a year.
“We know the pressures of high prices are continuing to be felt which is why a Cost of Living Payment worth £900 will be paid to more than eight million households this year and next, including to nearly 60 percent of working-age carers on low incomes and Carer’s Allowance.”
