STATE OF CARING REPORT 2017
The majority of carers also felt that their contribution is not understood or valued by the public and society more broadly and many said they don ’ t feel their contribution is even understood or valued by those closest to them , with as many as 21 % of people saying friends and family don ’ t understand or value what they do at all .
The huge contribution carers make to the lives of those they care for and to society more broadly should be properly recognised . Carers should be better considered in the care and support that health and care professionals provide to the cared for person and their independent needs should always be addressed . Many carers reported that it was particularly difficult to feel valued by government and society when the money they receive for their caring is so little . At just £ 62.70 a week ( 2017-18 rates ), Carer ’ s Allowance is the lowest benefit of its kind , leaving many experiencing financial hardship , low self-esteem and feeling resentful that their invaluable contribution is not recognised . As one carer put it , “ How can we say carers ’ contributions are valued when ( if you qualify ) we earn under £ 2 per hour ?”
When asked about their expectations for the future , the majority of carers ( 53 %) said they expect their quality of life to get worse in the next year . Only 5 % of people said they expect it to get better .
Older people and those providing over 50 hours per week were more likely to say they expect their quality of life to deteriorate .
© Chris Steele-Perkins / Magnum , 2014
I have never felt as depressed or undervalued as I do now
The tokenistic Carer ’ s Allowance makes it plainly evident that society and government do not appreciate the practicalities , difficulties or hardship of caring for someone
In my experience social care workers take for granted that support will be given by other family members
I think the language used by politicians and the mainstream media has negatively contributed to how people who rely on benefits are viewed by much of the public
I feel very aggrieved at the pittance of an allowance I get for caring . It is so insulting and I feel so undervalued . I care 24 hours a day 365 days a year
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