Carers

Older people can be involved in care work, either as the givers of care, or as the recipients of it. This chapter looks at the rights and responsibilities of those carers. It demonstrates the ways in which carers have been ignored by the law and the relatively little social or legal recognition given to carers. It considers how better to promote the interests of carers and how to balance their interests with those they are caring for. The chapter considers the support available to carers from local authorities and the government's attempts to improve the services available.

Older people can be involved in care work, either as the givers of care, or as the recipients of it. This chapter looks at the rights and responsibilities of those carers. It demonstrates the ways in which carers have been ignored by the law and the relatively little social or legal recognition given to carers. It considers how better to promote the interests of carers and how to balance their interests with those they are caring for. The chapter considers the support available to carers from local authorities and the government's attempts to improve the services available.