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It'll be lonely for carers
this Christmas, finds new study by local charity Revitalise
ON the eve of Festive Season,
disability charity finds carers feel exhausted, sleep deprived and lonely.
With many of us looking forward to enjoying the festivities this holiday season,
a new study by local disability charity Revitalise, which runs the Sandpipers
respite holiday centre in Southport, has worryingly revealed that many carers
have far less reason to be jolly this Christmas.
The charity's research found that 37% of the UK's carers will be lonely, 30% of
whom were aged 70 or over.
Worse still, at a time when most people are looking forward to relaxing with
family and friends, the Revitalise study found that 60% of carers feel unable to
'switch off' from their caring role, with 69% saying they are always
tired, feel mentally exhausted (63%) and 61% admitting they have trouble
sleeping.
And, with the New Year fast approaching, it's evident that the plight of unpaid
carers all across the UK does not lend itself to an optimistic outlook for the
future either. 52% of carers did not know how they would be able to cope if
things continued the way they were. 40% also expressed concerns that they would
end up ill, in chronic pain or disabled themselves; not surprising since 55% of
carers had been caring for 10 years or more and a shocking 45% had sustained
injuries or chronic health conditions as a direct result of caring, the survey
revealed.
In light of the study's findings, Revitalise is calling for more funding from
central government to enable local authorities to give unpaid carers all the
support they need and is renewing its call for sufficient funding for respite
breaks to be a fundamental element of all social care provision.
Revitalise is also delighted to have the support of Revitalise Vice President,
Dame Esther Rantzen, who is fronting the charity's 2016 Christmas Campaign:-
'Shining
a light on loneliness.' Those wishing to make a donation to Revitalise's
work are kindly asked to go
online.
Every penny donated will go into the Revitalise Support Fund to help those
struggling to afford a break.
Picking up on the key issue of loneliness, Dame Esther Rantzen, added:-
"It is thanks to the dedication and commitment of the 6.5 million carers in the
UK that not only are our parents, siblings and children looked after with love
and compassion, but also the UK economy benefits enormously. So it is somewhat
depressing to find that 4 out of 10 carers feel lonely.
This feeling of isolation must be felt even more keenly at Christmas, a time of
year devoted to family and togetherness. That's why I'm urging you to support Revitalise's campaign to give unpaid carers the recognition they deserve and
help combat the damaging effects of loneliness. Please, give what you can; and
help us rekindle the true spirit of Christmas."
Revitalise is a national charity providing respite holidays for disabled people
and carers. Revitalise provides short breaks, with 24 hour nurse led care
on call and personal support, at Sandpipers in Southport and 2 other accessible
centres in Chigwell in Essex and Southampton. Each centre offers a wide range of
accessible activities and excursions in a holiday environment. |
