Informal Carers Essay

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Q2. Discuss the way informal carers contribute to the overall care of someone with a physical or mental health long term condition. I begin by addressing the question of what is informal care? This term “ is used to describe the care provided by family and friends while acknowledging that , as a term, it is not entirely satisfactory in that it can seem to imply something of less value than statutory or formal care.” ( The Open University pg.13) The role of informal carers is important as they are able to help ease the burden on already overstretched healthcare services, it also allows more flexibility for the individual managing the long term condition. Taking into account the need for informal care, in reference to the 'self care continuum' this would tend to come into action with anything that is deemed as minor ailments, which is those symptoms that require the assistance of others in managing their care at home. With any form of caring, there can be times when there is too much strain for one individual to fully commit to caring for someone else on there own, especially if the care is for a close family member. At times this may end up destroying the relationship that once was there. For instance the role of husband and wife tends to suffer …show more content…

These points were raised by larkin (2012) which he drew from a wide range of literature. (The Open University pg. 16) Looking at the social model of health and how informal carers contribute to the overall care of others, this could be consider to be, providing emotional support to an individual, showing them affection or from organising and taking them to destinations, which provide them with services for their long term condition or

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