Rather than giving us another hidden camera exposé of carers allegedly abusing a dementia patient, let’s have a proper national conversation about the value we place on carers.
Having had joint caring responsibilities for an elderly relative with dementia for the past eight months — two in Turkey, six here — I think I can safely share my opinion on this.
That is: professional carers for people with conditions like dementia ought to be paid like doctors. That’s because it’s a full-time job, demanding constant vigilance, emotional engagement and in some cases danger to personal safety.
As it is, employed carers are paid close to the minimum wage, which is why there is a recruitment crisis in the sector. That level of pay means you will only attract those who have a real vocation — they do it out of a sense of duty — or those who have no other choice.
If you offer an extremely low salary which cannot keep pace with the cost of living for high intensity work demanding unceasing compassion and care, you won’t attract the best and brightest, or those most suited to the role.
Simply poaching healthcare professionals from other countries clearly isn’t the answer. It might even be said to be unethical, given that their health systems also have a shortage of carers for people with such conditions.
As for the majority of carers — unpaid relatives, spouses, children — never underestimate the work involved. Don’t condemn those who seek professional full-time care for a family member. It is a relentless, thankless task.
The only reason we will get any respite is because the maximum length of stay on a visitor visa is six months at a time. However, come the summer when we will be free to go on our holidays, it will start all over again.
For others, it is a continual, unending demand, with no relief in sight. And contrary to the representations of the media, dementia patients are not just passive, forgetful elderlies.
They can also be violent, offensive, hostile, rude, abusive, rejecting food, throwing almighty tantrums at meal times — and will mostly then deny all of the above moments later, because they genuinely don’t remember it.
This is why I cannot condemn carers appearing to behave a certain way in a short hidden camera clip. If you think you could do a better job, try it. Quit your job writing newspaper articles, and go and work as a full-time carer for six months. Let’s see how you manage.
Last modified: 18 February 2024
