IF YOU DON’T CARE, HOW CAN WE

The above slogan has been adopted by the  “We Care!” national awareness campaign to support the large but often invisible community of New Zealand carers, who number 420,000 plus  
 
The most impressive campaign was launched on Monday (23rd May) at Auckland's Aotea Centre’s, Air NZ Foyer. During her speech Carers NZ chief executive Laurie Hilsgen called for some grown up conversations between care giving associations and government agencies over concerns that the Carers’ Strategy, launched in 2008 with a five year Action Plan, has lost momentum. It is feared that in the wake of budget constraints and restructurings, health spending is currently focused on facilities rather than community supports.

At the launch it was emphasised that community based care is unsustainable without first ‘caring for the carers’ As stated on its website currently almost 40% of carers are injured in their role, 45% have health and disability needs of their own, more than 26% of carers support more than one person, more than 40% care 24/7 and two thirds experience depression.

To combat these startling statistics action must be taken in five priority areas. Carers must be provided with more relevant information, carers health and well being must be protected, the carers must be able to take breaks and it should be their choice when these breaks occur, carers need more financial support and more training and employment pathways should be developed.

We have to do better for carers. They give a lot and they deserve more. It’s as simple as that.” says John Forman, Chair of the NZ Carers Alliance who noted that  Carers unpaid work has an annual economic value of more than $7 billion.

Minister Tariana Turia also gave her support to improve caregiving conditions stating they need choices and opportunities like everyone else.

Strong strategies to raise government awareness were revealed at the launch. Carers and their supporters were encouraged to send an email to Prime Minister John Key over their concerns, Caregivers were also invited to sign a supplied postcard, addressed to the Prime Minister asking him to take a direct interest in their plight and there was the opportunity to take part in a visual petition, where participants write a clear message on a sheet a paper, which is photographed and uploaded on to the  WeCareNZ website’s gallery.

To learn about and participate in the We Care! Campaign’s ongoing strategies visit www.wecare.org.nz Facebook: We Care NZ Twitter: #wecarenz

Ross Flood