Do carers for the elderly get a raw deal?
‘CARERS deserve every tax break and encouragement’ (Mail), but this is not acknowledged by the Government. I am paid a carer’s allowance, which is taxed, for looking after my mother. In December, I will start to receive my state pension, also taxable. But then I will cease to receive the carer’s allowance. After correspondence with my MP and, via him, the Pensions Minister, I am advised carer’s allowance and state pension are classed as ‘earnings replacement benefits’ and you can receive no more than one. While I will never give up caring for my mother, in December I will be given no encouragement by the Government.
PETER BRIDGES, Reading, Berks. THERE are constant reports about bad care homes, and now Yasmin AlibhaiBrown is polishing her halo because she took care of her mother. It’s as though any daughter who doesn’t do the same is committing matricide by stealth. My mother needed 24-hour care after several falls and two minor strokes, and she moved to a home. The staff are caring, and she is looked after well, but most importantly, she has company. Had she come to me, it would have been very different. she has limited mobility, and I would have needed help to take her anywhere or even give her a shower. she would often have been on her own as my husband and I run a business. Much as I love her, our relationship hasn’t always been easy, and I know living together would have been stressful for us both. Now I visit regularly, and am happy knowing if anything should happen, help will be there.
VAL CROISSANT, Barton-upon-Humber, Lincs. UNTIL their deaths several years ago a month apart at 94 and 90, I was a full-time carer for my infirm parents, who came to live with me and my disabled son when they could no longer cope. They dreaded going into a home. Eventually I had to give up my job to look after them. I had no help. At 88 I am still the sole carer for my son. I can say that looking after my beloved parents for all those years took a terrible toll on my health, and it took ages before I recovered my identity after they died.
BARBARA MACARTHUR, Cardiff.