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16th July 2009
Who cares for the carers?CYRIL'S son David used to be a keen sportsman, playing hockey and cricket for Sidmouth’s second team when he was in his prime. Then when he was 40-years-old, he went to the doctor, after picking up another sporting injury, and discovered he had developed ankyolising spondylitis: a form of arthritis of the spine. Five years later, he got Parkinson’s Disease. Now 55-years-old, David Kingdon lives in Sidmouth with his parents Cyril and Joyce, who have become his full-time carers. Cyril, aged 84, spoke to View from the Sid Vale about his son, during one of the regular monthly meetings of the Sid Vale Carers in Sidmouth. At first Cyril protested that there must be plenty of other local carers whose lives are harder than theirs, and whose loved ones have greater needs. It soon became clear, however, as Cyril described their daily routine, that everything changed when his son fell seriously ill and lost his independence. Now, Cyril and Joyce cook for David, help him get up when his back sometimes "freezes" up, and generally look after his basic physical needs. “David’s mind is still sharp,” Cyril pointed out. “He has to remember to take his medication every three hours, day and night. That’s about 30 tablets a day, so he has to be alert! "He goes to Sidmouth Hospital, which is a marvellous place; Mr Sheridan is their specialist consultant for the elderly, who comes over once a week from the Wonford Hospital in Exeter, and they’re very lucky to have him." Although David has had emotional ups and downs from time to time, which Cyril doesn’t want to talk about much, he says that his son is coping well. “He keeps as happy as he can, and gets on with his life to the best of his ability. He’s single, and doesn’t mix much with friends, but he has the family around him for company when he wants it. And he likes to keep his mind busy with puzzles and quiz shows on TV, that sort of thing.” As for his own and Joyce’s quality of life, Cyril is admirably positive and uncomplaining. “We go out for short trips during the day, which are enough for us. We don’t need a longer break,” he said. When asked what would be the most important advice he would give to new carers looking for support, Cyril instantly gives his clear advice. He said: “Find out everything that is available to help you, even if you don’t think you need it. When David first got ill, he went to the hospital and they even filled out the forms for him, which was fantastic.” Cyril Kingdon belongs to the Sid Vale Carers’ Support Group. Their members had come to Trumps Court in Sidmouth to hear Denise Jones of Carers Direct talk to them during National Carers Week, from June 8-15th. Ms Jones’ main message was to let carers know they are not alone and that Carers Direct offers “a frontline service for Devon Social Services, providing carers with all the information you need to know”. Carers’ calls cover everything from providing facilities for washing, dressing, finding an occupational therapist, Carers Allowance, where to get a ‘grab rail’, walk-in showers, stairlifts, and grants for disabled facilities, including – extremely frequently – Blue Badges. These special parking permits for motorists are granted by the Department of Transport via phone assessment. “And if we can’t answer your questions”, Ms Jones added, “we know someone else who can! We’ll pass on your queries to the right people, for everyone all across Devon - except for Plymouth and Torbay, which have their own care services." Carers Direct’s main aim, Ms Jones said, is “to help people carry on living independently, with dignity at home. Ultimately, it’s down to each individual to choose the best care they want, which we help provide for everyone. The only exception being when it’s a question of personal safety”. One major area of concern over patients’ safety, for instance, was over hospital discharge. According to Ms Jones, many patients refuse the home care that is offered by the hospital before they leave, but have problems later. “Patients must have care in place at home, ready for when they leave”. Many people have falls at home, where they can be more vulnerable. It’s my job to help them be more aware of their limits”. Among the audience, stories were told in response, which vividly illustrated Ms Jones’ advice. “Even talking to my sister when she came home made her feel ill,” confided one lady, whose sister had been in hospital because of her heart palpitations. “But they doubled her medication when she left, which made her feel terrible”. Another carer looking after a 42-year-old man with multiple sclerosis said that even though he did accept home care service, during the recent hot spell they had come to put him to bed sometimes as early as 4.15pm. When asked what was the main message that Carers Direct wanted to make during Carers Week, Ms Jones said that it was to make more people aware that they are carers, if they look after another member of the family at home, often under difficult conditions, as there are still many people who don’t realize how much support is available to help them. “Many people look after their loved ones at home because they consider it’s just part of their relationship. We want to let people know that what they are doing is a job that deserves and needs support, which we can provide. This may be especially important as the carers also might need help themselves; if not now then maybe one day”. Devon Carers Link offers one such support for registered carers, with its Take a Break respite service. For £2.50 per hour it will provide a care worker to take over at home, to allow carers some free time during the daytime or evenings, for up to three hours a week. Devon Carers Link has also launched a new Alert Card scheme. This back-up programme is for carers who might unexpectedly be unable to support, through their own illness or an accident. Carers signing up for the scheme set up a pre-prepared contingency plan, nominating someone else to take over your role temporarily. Or for those who may be caring for someone with severe or complex needs, the plan could include pre-arranged support from statutory or private agencies. Services Workers are also available to guide applicants through the new scheme. To apply for an Alert Card, telephone: 08456 431 341. To join Devon Carers Link, which publishes a regular newsletter and calendar of local events and services, telephone: 08456 435 074; or email: [email protected]. Young Carers: There are also many younger carers, between 16 and 18 years old, who look after someone in their family or a friend. The person they care for may have a debilitating illness, or they may have other needs. Sometimes they support their family when it has suffered a trauma, such as a divorce or death in the family. A young carer may help by washing and dressing, shopping and cooking, dealing with money and bills, cleaning, giving medicine, keeping an eye on someone and being a shoulder to cry on. They may also be providing care and support where there are members of the family affected by drug or alcohol abuse. Devon Young Carers (DYC) has been set up to help young carers. It provides support and information; it also trains teachers, youth workers, school nurses and other people that carers may meet. For more information, see the contact addresses below. The local branch of CARERS UK, this group was formed 16 years ago, based in Sidmouth. Its role is to enable carers to meet and offer mutual support. Carers can share their experiences with the group; they also receive practical help and advice from people in similar situations to theirs, and who can point them in the right direction for information and help needed. Joan Bougourd, one of the group’s organizers, told View from Sid Vale how important the annual Carers Week is to them. “It makes more carers aware of all the help and facilities that are available to them, and how valuable their work is”. She also pointed out that the unpaid carers save the country an estimated £87 million every year. “And if they all suddenly stopped work – not that I’m saying they would – the National Health Service would be overwhelmed!” Mrs Bougourd was a carer herself for twenty years, looking after her mother. “We had to make do with very little support in those days, but today there is so much more available, and it’s so useful to have this event to let more carers realize they are not alone”. The local carers’ group meet on the second Monday of the month at 2.15pm, in Trumps Court, Ham Lane, Sidmouth; telephone: 01395 514664. Their programme of activities and presentations includes a talk by Richard Anderson, from Seaton Hospital, on Monday, July 13th; and a Garden Party on August 10th (details in next month’s paper). Return to news headlines.ff | |||||||||||||||
