Bullet Point 6 Flashcards
what is an informal carer?
the provision of long term care to individuals relies very heavily on the contribution of informal carers- no payments
someone who is giving ongoing assistance to another person without payment of the care given
what is informal support?
is care given by those who are not paid to do so. mostly people may be unskilled and will also be available at times when professional care workers are not available. informal carers are more likely to be known and trusted
examples of informal support by people
immediate family member
extended family members
neighbours
friends
volunteers friends
faith groups
informal networks
immediate family members
parents, brothers, sisters
washing, changing, cooking and serving medals
extended family members
grandparents, aunts, uncles, nieces
shopping, sitting with service user for periods of time, write letters, assist with laundry- less personal
neighbours
providing a snack, sitting with service user, talking with service user, make sure medication is taken, even mowing lawn
friends
people who know service user well
may take service user for walk or drive, may take them for an appointment, sit or share gossip of new news
volunteer friends
untrained, retired people who feel they can contribute to service user’s care
driving them to appointments, collecting books from library
faith groups
individuals who belong to a faith group who probably know the service user
visit person to keep company, pray with them- priest can serve communion
informal networks
group of people who do not have any other specialism in a topic but who may be experiencing the same problem
by meeting and talking they provide support and helps make them feel more confident about the future
e.g. choir, coffee morning
why is informal are invaluable?
they can fill the gap left by professional care workers and can deal with all the daily routines which, if not done, could cause service user to worry
- could have negative impact on own health and well-being if these jobs aren’t carried out
examples of different ways informal carers can provide support
they provide a sense of love, loyalty duty and responisbility which can help the older person to feel a sense of self-worth and belonging
help older person maintain some independence and remain in their own home- which combats social isolation and lonliness
informal carers may provide activities or outings, to stimulate their mind e.g. playing board games, bingo
helping with domestic tasks e.g. buying/preparing food, washing dishes, draw up a chart of their daily meals
help with their finances and budgeting e.g. how much they spend on food and clothes, so bills are paid ontime and don’t go inot debt e.g. unable to travel to get pension
care for their personal hygiene, get them up tolieted and washed e.g. artritius need help getting out of bath. bath chair lift to help- provides comfort to know theirs someone to help
allow them to choose appropraite clothing e.g. if person has had a strojke they may find it difficult to dress themselves- allowing them to choose something can make them feel independent
promote healthy eating habits and moinitoring weight, older peopple tend to put weight on easily as they are less active e.g. docotr tells them to eat les salt
helps them to attend appointments e.g. get on bus with them to feel comfort in something they used to do
may help with medication, they go collect it from pharmacy andput in daily boxes to remind them
may monitior the users health and contact the social worker that the user is not well e.g. chest infection or any skin conditions breaking out e.g. change in behaviour
