Testimonies

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Carer Watch.com / Testimonies / Financial Help for Carers - Not Fit for Purpose / More information to helpyourself/emotional support

Name	Your Story
clare	# Posted: 21 Mar 2008 14:16 Reply Hi, when my mam was ill with cancer I helped looked after her for 6 months and it was really emotionally draining looking after her/in and out of hospital. It would have been nice to have some emotional support that maybe unavailale from family as they were upset too at the time and still are upset three years on. I didn't know about carers allowence until know. I probably wouldn't have been able to claim as I've always worked full time and looked after my mum on night times/weekends. It's over the £95 per week I earned which isn't fair really. I don't think I'll be able to claim for that time now three years on. I looked after my mam because it was the only thing to do as mam wanted to be home unless she had to be in hospital - overall it was about 6 weeks. There's no emotional support and can't claim anything to at least help out. so what do I do?
Jane	# Posted: 24 Mar 2008 17:14 Reply I have been a Carer for 22 years, for my husband and elder son, and now increasingly for my younger son, whose depression and diabetes is causing him to neglect his health. He was rushed into hospital the evening before Easter, I begged for emotional help from the hospital , and they contacted Social Services on my behalf(mental health team can only be accessed via a Health Professional). When I spoke to the on-call duty Social Worker, I learnt more about him than he did about my son. He told me all about his diabetes, his age, how he doesn't look after his diabetes, how others are always telling him off for not looking after his diabetes etc. He is not going to help my family in any way, as he doesn't think we need it. His only suggestion if I need time off from caring for my son-refuse to have him home from hospital, and then the Social services would find him B and B as a priority! I will not abandon my son, but I am wearing myself into the ground. There is NO emotional support, except that of other Carers, who understand the difficulties.

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