The UK population is aging with the elderly population expected to grow at least 21% by 2030. The age band from 65-84 is expected to grow by 12%, whereas the number of older adults aged around 85 will increase by at least 18% in the coming years.
With the elderly growing older, they become more dependent on their basic care needs. Not only is personal care an issue. But the emotional and mental well-being of this age group is seriously affected because of loneliness and poor social life. A lack of physical activity and limited financial capacity also makes it more exasperating for them to spend their time peacefully without any worry.
Finding a companion during this time is not only necessary but healthy and important for the longevity of those requiring care. Seeking support from a companion may sound challenging. However, when speaking of social support for the elderly, it’s not as difficult as it sounds. With an aging population, the government is likely to spend more on elderly welfare.
Along with support services, the elderly are blessed with the presence of spousal care. Spouses are the most important support system older adults have when they are dependent on their personal needs. The UK population is likely to age in the coming years. It would not be wrong to say that spousal care will become more important in the future.
Family Culture in the UK
The culture in the UK of caring for the elderly is a real blessing. Moreover, the government and local authorities also impose the duty on family members to devote their time and effort towards the well-being of those in the family requiring care. However, the fact that only 8% of the UK population comprise informal care workers, meaning those who provide care for their families, is a little discouraging.
Additionally, the Office of National Statistics reported that unpaid caregivers who devote their time to fulfilling the needs of the elderly in their family contribute to a staggering saving of around 60 billion GBP per year.
However, this informal care is not free. It comes at a cost. Caring for a loved one is enormously challenging, but equally rewarding. However, paying attention to extensive care needs could put the carer at serious risk of developing an illness, chronic diseases, and other disabilities.
It is also pertinent to acknowledge that caring is extremely demanding for the mind and body of the carer showing devotion. Research shows that carers who work full-time with their family members experienced high levels of anxiety and stress. Developing mental health problems were among the most significant risks for carers in the report.
Finding Preform Suppliers That Are Reliable
Health and Socioeconomic Status of Carers
The health and socio-economic status of a carer is also a key indicator of a quality companion. Research shows that most individual carers, including both men and women, who were engaged in manual labor and had a deprived social status experienced high levels of stress.
They are not likely to find time to care for an older adult at home. However, what’s interesting is that the number of male care workers is increasing. This in turn is likely to improve the culture of caring for the elderly in the future.
Issues with Ethnic Minorities
Finding a reliable companion for the elderly is often challenging. Awareness and knowledge of care teams are important to provide suitable care to those in need. However, people belonging to ethnic minorities may find it slightly difficult to work with a reliable companion. Even though they would be able to benefit from an informal care system, it may not be sufficient given the fact that ethnic minorities are often disconnected from developed communities.
Limited exposure to local authority and social support services to develop caring skills and knowledge results in compromising care delivery to the elderly. In such cases, understanding the emotional and mental needs of an older adult may be extremely challenging for the carer. Hence, it would not be wrong to assume that people living among ethnic minorities would find it difficult to find good companions.
Maintaining a Balance Between Family Care and Employment
While we discuss reliable informal care, it is pertinent to know that most of the care workers in the UK belong to the age band of 45-52. Most of these people have full-time jobs after which they find time to care for the elderly at home. However, getting home and devoting time to the care of the elderly is arduous for the carers. Keeping a balance between care and employment is not only physically exhausting but is extremely challenging for the mind as well.
However, the Care Act 2014 encouraging family carers to devote time to vulnerable older adults in the family. Family carers could be encouraged to work more with more devotion if they are provided paid care leaves, flexible working hours to care for people with disabilities. Since the contemporary policy for social care focuses on promoting informal care and the spending are likely to grow in the future years, it would not be wrong to assume that a reliable companion for care is easier to find.
Incidence of Dementia Increases the Challenge of Elderly Care
Since most elderly people suffer from mental illnesses, the challenge of dementia also remains challenging for many. Approximately a total cost of 11 billion GBP for dementia care is provided through an informal network of care providers. However, caring for a patient with dementia is stressful as their compromised mental capacity to remember. And communication hinders the carer’s potential to work with the patient. Therefore, it could be said that the incidence of dementia enhances the challenge for informal care workers.
Multi-Agency Care is the Solution
Even though caring for the elderly is extremely challenging. It has to be accepted that informal care or spousal care is the right way. Though it’s challenging given the lack of knowledge of the carer about the needs of vulnerable adults.
It could be argued that a multi-agency care approach is much needed to induct the carer with professionals from varying backgrounds to craft out a comprehensive care plan. Remember, the aim of the care is not to meet the needs of the individual but to provide good companionship.
