Carers at work

 Last night I attended the inaugural “Carers at Work” event hosted by Working Families, a charitable organisation that helps children, working parents, and carers and their employers find a better balance between responsibilities at home and work.

After more than thirty years of focusing primarily on “parents” i.e. largely mothers of young children, they are now turning their attention to the problems  of those who have other  caring responsibilities – many of whom are individuals in their fifties and older.

The meeting provided a forum for much interesting debate and networking. Key themes were issues relating to the specific pressures of the sandwich generation (those who are caring for younger and older dependents), the problems associated with the lack of value and recognition which is generally given to those with caring responsibilities, the emotional burden of long-term caring, and issues concerning the unpredictable and open-ended nature of elder care when compared to childcare.

All of these can create significant difficulties for people who are trying to hold down a job and care for dependents.

Certainly innovative and wide-ranging solutions are needed not least of which is improved flexible working provision and better education for all.

“Caring” is a role which increasing numbers of people will find themselves having to fulfil, whether they like it or not.

Further information about Working Families is at www.workingfamilies.org.uk

Maybe there’s no “I” in team….

My daughter suggested this blog topic to me.

As I pass away the hours researching for in my prime, my mind is occasionally apt to take a five minute break. During one of these breaks I designed a small poster which is now pinned on my office wall.

My daughter, a doctor working in general practice, on seeing this commented that it would be ideal advice for the many archetypal women in their forties, fifties and sixties who come to see her. These overstressed and overstretched women with their tanks running on empty come to her for some attempt at respite from their depression and mental and physical exhaustion. If it is not children or grandchildren they are caring for it is elderly parents who demand their attention and these while they are trying to juggle a job, the house, being a good partner etc etc.

The advice which is given, “give yourself some space”, “take some time out for yourself” is met with “I haven’t time for that, I’ve so much to do”. And so the vicious circle continues. Nevertheless the advice remains valid and vital.

What does the poster say?

Maybe there’s no “I” in team – but there is “I” twice, together with “my” and “me” in “in my prime”.

‘Sandwich generation’ feel the squeeze as they spend £1.5bn a year to support children and parents

Couples with grown-up children and ageing parents are spending more than £1.5billion every year to help support them.

Figures revealed highlighted the growing costs to the so-called ‘sandwich generation’, people who are squeezed between offspring and elderly relatives.
More than 250,000 Britons are currently paying for their grown-up children and at least one ageing parent, according to research by Unbiased.co.uk website, which searches for financial advisors.

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(Source: Mail Online)