What do Carers Say they Need?

 

Sara Challice in her book “Who Cares?” (2024) says:

1) Carers need to first realise that they are carers.

2) Carers may think they are coping, when gradually,

     over time, they are not. Carers need to work out what

     they are doing, and make sure they are not creating

    co-dependence.

3) Carers need to talk and express how they are feeling.

4) Carers need a break.

Familiar themes from research are that carers need

1) To be heard, and receive an emotional and kind response.

2) To be informed (useful, timely, accessible information).

3) To be given practical support. 

Who is a Carer?

 

Young Carers Action Day Credit Creatarts.org.uk

Discussion

      Ø    Are you a carer? 

Ø    Have you been a carer? 

Ø    Might you become a carer?

Ø    Who in your family is a carer?

Ø    What are the care needs of your family?

Ø    How do you feel about this?

Preparing for Family Network Meetings

 Hindi Proverb

“But I have always loved my cow”

Imagine the scene.  A traffic jam; Car horns honking; people leaning out of windows exclaiming!  Worried locals looking frantically for Farmer Ajit. 

“Ajit, Ajit, your cow has sat down in the middle of the  highway and can’t be moved.

 The place has come to a  stand still.”

Calmly, Ajit stops what he is doing and walks purposefully towards the hubbub.  He gets down on his haunches and stretches his arm around his cow.  Gently he takes hold, and starts to lift up the cow. He inches step by step over to the side of the road and places the cow gently down.  The cow blinks its large eyes.  Immediately the roar of the traffic starts up again.  The people stand back in awe.  

“How did you do that Ajit?” they exclaim. 

“Oh, it’s nothing”, retorts Ajit.

“From a little calf, I have always loved my cow.  Everyday I tend to her needs and care for her.  From a young calf, I have  picked her up and carried her where she  needs to go.  

And today is no different.”