Survival Tips for Carers - Carers Week 13-19 June 2011

It's Carers Week between 13 - 19 June 2011 and an opportunity to recognise the great work which is done by our country's six million carers.  Many carers give up employment, income and pension rights to take on their caring role. It can be a 24-hour exhausting responsibility  with little practical or financial help.  Most carers are also so concerned about the welfare of the person (or sometimes "persons"!) that they look after that they forget to look after themselves leading to exhaustion, ill health, anxiety, depression and permanent disabilty for themselves as well.    If you are a carer who has not had a holiday or a break for as long as you have been caring, and recognise any of the above then you are probably a victim of what is known as "carer burnout".