Elderly carers in crisis

By NANCY DHALIWAL - North Shore Times

Last updated 05:00 24/09/2009

Elderly carers are a fragile group under heavy strain and often bear their burden alone.

The elderly who care for mentally ill children or sick spouses do not benefit from the respite scheme and support services that help other carers, says North Shore Age Concern elder abuse prevention co-ordinator Jennie Michel.

She says Age Concern often fields calls from elderly carers who are desperate for help.

"You have people in their 80s or 90s coping with someone with psychosis and it can be very frightening."

But many old people are not seeking help or don’t know where to get it, she says.

Being a carer can put a heavy financial strain on older people, who often live on superannuation or are saving for retirement, says Grandparents Raising Grandchildren.

The trust’s North Shore co-ordinator Bonnie Williams knows plenty of elderly in need of weekly food parcels distributed through her church group.

"Some of them go without medical needs so they can attend to their children. It’s the same if their car breaks down," she says.

One carer wished "not to go to bed hungry, for clothes that fit, money to survive and to not have to worry about work and income and the situation of my daughter".

Elderly carers need training, a sensitive assessment process, financial relief, respite care provision, preparation courses and educational help, according to research done by the trust.

The Carers Strategy, developed last year between the government and the NZ Carers Alliance, may not be designed for older people, says Ms Michel.

It aims to provide information and financial support, protect the wellbeing of carers, allow carers to take breaks and provide them with training and pathways to employment.

"It’s sort of one size fits all with an underlying message that carers have a very supportive family network."

Although younger carers may have such support, most older carers’ friends are the same age or have died, Ms Michel says.