Our work to improve support for carers of people with Parkinson's
We know how important support for
carers is. Carers of people with Parkinson's can face
significant challenges getting the support and information they
need.
Carers of people with Parkinson's can face significant challenges getting the support and information they need.
Carers can also face barriers to staying in employment. And if
people give up work to care, they often find that the benefits to
support carers are inadequate and complicated to access.
Our
2008 members' survey found that only a third of carers
were aware of their right to a carer's assessment. Only 11% were
getting help from their local social services.
Ensuring that carers can gain both an assessment of their needs
outside of their caring role, and access adequate respite, is a key
theme of our campaigning work, including our Fair Care for Parkinson's campaign.
In England there's a real opportunity to get social
care reformed to benefit carers as part of a
national End the care crisis
campaign.
Find out more about what we believe in our policy statement on carers' support.
Around the UK
England
The 10-year national strategy for carers in England was
produced in 2008. The strategy was reviewed in 2010 and a
'refreshed' set of government priorities for improving
carers' lives was published.
Recognised, valued and supported: next steps for the
Carers Strategy promises more NHS funding for carers'
breaks, training for GPs, more personalised support and help
for carers to stay in work and education.
It's very important that the promised money reaches carers
this time, as the NHS has a chequered history of how it has
used carers' funding in the past.
The Government has said it expects the NHS and councils to
publish joint plans for spending this money.
In other developments, the Government wants to reform the
structure and funding of social care from 2015. A new
Care Bill will put carers on the same legal footing as the
person they care for. This should mean more carers getting the
support they need.
Read more about this on our social care
reform page.
Scotland
Scotland's
Carers Strategy was launched by the Scottish Government in
July 2010. It outlines support for carers, including young carers,
for the next 5 years.
Wales
The Welsh Assembly has passed a law to make the
NHS
and Local Authorities in Wales work together on improving carers'
lives.
Northern Ireland
In Northern Ireland work is taking place to
improve information, support and assessment of carers.
Carers Week
We support the
national Carers
Week each year.
Read more about how we at Parkinson's UK
get involved in the week on our dedicated Carers Week page.
Our responses to government consultations
We respond to government and other consultations likely to
affect carers.
Support for carers
We provide information for carers, covering topics such as
caring for someone with Parkinson's, looking after yourself,
financial help and support, and employment issues.
We use the term carer to refer to all those who provide unpaid
care and support for someone with Parkinson's.
Share your experiences with other carers
Our website forum includes a
carers, friends and family forum, a chance for you to talk to
other carers about your experiences and share your views about the
issues that matter to you.
Contact us
If you're a carer and would like to share your experiences to
help our policy and campaigns work, or learn more about Carers
Week, please get in touch:
- Email campaigns@parkinsons.org.uk
- Call us on 020 7963 9307
- Or write to Social Policy and Campaigns team, Parkinson's UK,
215 Vauxhall Bridge Road, London SW1V 1EJ
- email
-
Share