Advanced Health and Social Care Essay

A carer is an individual who offers voluntary support to a person to enable him or her perform the tasks that he or she is not capable of doing anymore or tasks that they have not been able to do on their own. This can involve taking care of one’s partner, child, parent, relative or even friend who is sick, mentally challenged, old or suffering from effects of substance abuse. Caring cuts across all cultures, ages, religions, races, color, educational background, economic status etc; people from all walks of life can become carers. This paper examines the challenges and rewards of being a carer for a family member.Advanced Health and Social Care Essay

No one chooses to be a carer; it just happens. After all, if they fail to do it, what would happen to that person they are caring for? It is the feeling of many carers that they are just doing what another person in their shoes would do. Caring for a family member usually happens even without the carer noticing. For instance, if a member of your family is unwell and you are the only person in a position to offer care to them. In case of an old family member, the carer will be required to dedicate his time to bathing, feeding and even helping them with toileting. Caring for old people requires patience and understanding because dealing with them can sometimes be difficult (Victor & Victor 2010, p. 172). Though it may be difficult at the beginning, with time one gets used to it and becomes like a personal assistant to that person, caring for him or her day after day. As a result, a carer’s life can be one that is severely restricted by the various caring responsibilities. These added tasks can be difficult, challenging, time-consuming or unrewarding, and more often than not, the responsibilities have an effect on the life of the carer be it economically, emotionally, financially or socially.Advanced Health and Social Care Essay