The importance of non-professional carers
With the aim of valuing and supporting the work of non-professional carers, the Pere Tarrés Foundation has organized a day entitled “Caring for those who care”. This event, which took place at the Auditori de la Pedrera in Barcelona on March 15, allowed some people in this situation to share their experiences and the difficulties they are facing.
A contemporary look at the experiences of caring
The day was led by the journalist Albert Om and was highlighted by the talk by the care expert Mercè Pérez Salanova, entitled “A contemporary look at the experiences of caring and emotions in everyday life”. In addition, it was attended by Carles Campuzano, Councilor for Social Rights of the Generalitat de Catalunya.
The challenge of dependency management
In a context of population aging and growth in social needs, the management of dependency is one of the key issues in the coming years. According to the State Association of Directors and Managers of Social Services, dependency is on the rise and the public resources allocated to this issue are clearly insufficient. The data show that every day 111 dependent people die without receiving the help to which they are entitled, and 296,431 people are on a waiting list for some type of procedure linked to dependency throughout the State.
The impact on caregivers
This situation not only affects people on the waiting list, but also has an impact on the quality of life of carers. Many times, it is the relatives who assume this responsibility, since the procedures to obtain the degree of dependency are complex and slow. In Catalonia, there are more than 97,000 non-professional carers, who carry out an exhausting and often unsupported task.
Proposals to improve the quality of life of caregivers
The Pere Tarrés Foundation has analyzed the weak points of the social services system and has drawn up a list of proposals to improve the quality of life of carers. Some of the proposals include the recognition of carers, the improvement of working conditions, the incorporation of families in the model, mutual support and social awareness of the importance of care. It is also proposed to improve the coordination of social agents and expand existing support resources.
The commitment of the Pere Tarrés Foundation
The Pere Tarrés Foundation aims to enhance and expand its training and support programs for non-professional carers. Since 2009, they have trained nearly 7,000 people and organized more than a hundred support and mutual aid groups. These spaces are important for carers, as they allow them to disconnect, share concerns and acquire new knowledge.
