Pat King is a full time carer for husband Stephen who developed mental health issues following a prolonged physical illness. Pat says that Caring for Carers is a lifeline for them both especially during the COVID pandemic.
Stephen was diagnosed with renal failure following a viral infection 11 years ago, and needed home dialysis until he had a kidney transplant in 2016.
“We thought that things would improve, but it wasn’t the case for us,” said Pat.
“Steve was forgetting things, repeating conversations and getting angry. I have a background in care and I could see something was wrong.
“Steve’s condition worsened quite quickly. He was a senior support worker, responsible for overseeing several community supported living houses with one or two residents and a staff team. One minute he was fine, then he just went downhill.”
Over the course of a few short years, Pat became a full time carer for Stephen. She has no breaks, no holidays and cannot leave him overnight if she wants to visit relatives.
“If you work in care, you can leave it behind at the end of the day. But like other people caring for their loved ones, I can’t just go home.”
These difficulties put a strain on their marriage and Pat sought counselling. Her doctor pointed her towards Caring for Carers, who helped her realise that she needed care and support as much as Steve.
“They’ve been amazing,” said Pat.
“We were on a low income with neither of us working. They helped me apply for PIPs payments, which included a 40 page application form. They connected me to other services that can help us, they’re available to talk to and overall I just feel that I have someone supporting me now.”
Most people looking after loved ones don’t consider themselves carers, but the professional advice provided freely by Caring for Carers helps them get the financial and other support that they are entitled to. There’s still a long way to go for Pat and Steve, and COVID presents another level of challenges but Caring for Carers is there to support them, and many others like them.
“It’s been good for us both,” said Pat.
“They’ve given me hope that things can get better and there is help, beyond what is happening with COVID. I don’t know what I would have done without them.”
This year Carers Rights day is on Thursday 26th November and the theme is ‘Know Your Rights’
The Caring for Carers team are here to support you with understanding your rights as a carer, and to help you to navigate health and social care systems.
Get in touch by telephone on 01752 201890, text us on 07305058088 or email caringforcarers@improvinglivesplymouth.org.uk
