Case Studies CarersFirst

Mrs. Meade

Due to our confidentiality policy, we are unable to disclose the details of Carers’ cases. The following are, however, representative of some of the cases we have come across:

Mrs. Meade supports her family on a full-time basis. She has three children, the youngest of whom has severe a condition called “Global Learning Disabilities.” This affects her ability to communicate, play and interact with other children of her age. Mrs. Meade drives to three schools each day in order to accommodate her children’s needs.

When Mrs. Meade called Carers FIRST she was dreading the summer holidays and the thought of supporting her disabled daughter, Sarah, as well as catering to her other children. Carers FIRST suggested that her children join a Young Carers Group so that Mrs. Meade could spend some 1 on 1 time with Sarah, while David and Linda spent time with other siblings of children with a disability. David and Linda were able to go on a three-day trip to Swattenden, where they participated in a variety of activities such as archery, rock climbing and scuba diving.

Mr. Dodd	Mrs. Cloven
Mr. Dodd supports his elderly wife who suffers not only from dementia but also epilepsy. While elderly himself, Mr. Dodd is in good health but worries when he has to leave his wife for any considerable time. He likes the occasional game of golf. Mr. Dodd’s Carers FIRST Support Worker visited Mr. Dodd and asked whether he claimed Carers Allowance and if Mrs. Dodd claimed Attendance Allowance. She then helped the	Mrs. Cloven supports her son who suffers with schizophrenia. In his early twenties, Colin has never been able to hold down a full-time job, although he does part-time volunteer work at a charity store. He is fond of music and antiques. Mrs. Cloven worries about her son and wonders if somehow she is to blame for his condition. Through Carers FIRST, Mrs. Cloven met several other mothers in a similar position. She