"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" (Benjamin Franklin 1706-1790)

Carers do not usually take on the caregiving role by choice and are often left coping alone with a situation they did not invite in. Full-time carers can rarely go "off duty" and the true care burden of those who are sole advocate for a loved-one goes mostly unseen. Deferring one's own needs long-term to those of another can be stressful and not feeling in charge of one's own destiny is a well-documented cause of depression and ill-health.

Some of the 'invisible' demands of caring

Carers' needs tend to be assessed in mainly practical terms and addressed within ever-narrowing parameters of existing services. Many carers become depressed by their situation. Although it is now recognised that long-term stress impacts adversely on our wellbeing, carers are more likely to be prescribed medication for stress-related conditions than offered effective sources of emotional support.

Preventing crisis

Crucial support services such as regular respite care placements are becoming increasingly scarce and ever more expensive. Whilst a respite break can head off a crisis it often means loved ones have to be separated which some do not want.

Mood-altering drugs can help with depression for example, but whilst these may alleviate the symptoms they do not address the cause. In their recently published review Hull University found that in 2006 the number of prescriptions for anti-depressants hit a record high of more than 31 million in England. Over half of these were for mood-altering drugs.

We believe that safeguarding the emotional and psychological wellbeing of carers helps to prevent crisis and the premature or unwanted institutionalisation of their loved ones: more importantly it helps to prevent carers from becoming patients themselves.

Advocare's free counselling service

We can refer carers and former carers to a free counselling service. Our experienced counsellor understands carers' issues including the need for support during impending bereavement. Some see it as an oasis of quality time when they can focus on themselves: others see it as respite without separation from a loved one.

Advocare's psychotherapy service

If required we can make referrals to a private psychotherapy service with a registered UKCP therapist.

For more details please contact Cathey on (01202) 737592.