Family carers 'need support' to maintain relationships
Relying solely on a family member for care can place a great strain on the relationship and lead to emotional tension and exhaustion, according to an article in the New Statesman.
Baroness Jane Campbell, who is commissioner of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, wrote that England's current approach to care is "little more than a safety net" and that an approach based on promoting equality and human rights must be adopted.
Projections for an extra three million unpaid carers are unlikely to be economically or socially sustainable, according to Baroness Campbell, who herself has a disability and relies on assistants to support her and take the pressure off her husband.
The baroness suggests that external support, such as an assistant or live-in carer, is advisable, noting: "Over-reliance on family members can seriously weaken the very family relationships we are going to need. People require support to maintain a strong family life."
She also pointed out that having a family member leave paid employment to provide support can lead to avoidable hardship and she believes that families "should be eligible for support".