TMA3
Part A There is a difference between helping a family member and living as a carer for a family member. In many cases the carer starts by helping but as the person who you are caring for becomes more dependent on help it changes to caring. Being a carer involves much more than helping but it can also have its own rewards. From the case study of Angus and Ann in unit 1 there are several examples of difficulties and rewards of being a carer for a family member.
Ann is the stepdaughter to Angus, a mother to Zoe and a wife to Bob. Angus has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and Ann has cared for him for 6years. Ann lived with her stepdad and mother for 2 years before her mother died. On her mother’s death bed she asked Ann to promise she would look after Angus. This is how she came to the role of carer. In Ann’s case she did not recognise herself as a carer, even though her friend told her that what she was doing for Angus made her a carer. Ann was also reluctant to take this view because she thought it was her duty. This caused a number of difficulties for Ann. It all came to a point when she had to give up her job as Angus needed care 24/7 (K101 audio 1.2 parts 2). Ann has spent 6 years caring for Angus. It appears to become quite difficult for Ann as his condition deteriorates and he requires more and more of Ann’s time. Ann loved her job and the social aspect of being around other people. This demand on Ann’s time is causing difficulties within her relationship with the rest of her family as they seek time and comfort from her also. The problem with caring for a family member is that they do not have as much money as before. The only money coming into the house might be benefit payment and that has to cover everything. In Ann’s case the family has lost her income. The difficulty Ann has caring for her stepdad is that when Angus needs personal care for example, going to the toilet
Ann is the stepdaughter to Angus, a mother to Zoe and a wife to Bob. Angus has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and Ann has cared for him for 6years. Ann lived with her stepdad and mother for 2 years before her mother died. On her mother’s death bed she asked Ann to promise she would look after Angus. This is how she came to the role of carer. In Ann’s case she did not recognise herself as a carer, even though her friend told her that what she was doing for Angus made her a carer. Ann was also reluctant to take this view because she thought it was her duty. This caused a number of difficulties for Ann. It all came to a point when she had to give up her job as Angus needed care 24/7 (K101 audio 1.2 parts 2). Ann has spent 6 years caring for Angus. It appears to become quite difficult for Ann as his condition deteriorates and he requires more and more of Ann’s time. Ann loved her job and the social aspect of being around other people. This demand on Ann’s time is causing difficulties within her relationship with the rest of her family as they seek time and comfort from her also. The problem with caring for a family member is that they do not have as much money as before. The only money coming into the house might be benefit payment and that has to cover everything. In Ann’s case the family has lost her income. The difficulty Ann has caring for her stepdad is that when Angus needs personal care for example, going to the toilet