Adult Social Care Glossary, v 0.6

Words that blame: Carer breakdown

Our statutory guidance requires that we offer an assessment “where it appears that a carer may have needs for support (whether currently or in the future)”. That our assessment establishes “not only the carer’s needs for support, but also the sustainability of the caring role itself”. That we determine “whether the carer is, and will continue to be, able and willing to care for the adult needing care” [2].

Yet when someone is no longer able or willing to continue in their caring role, we’re quick to apply the ‘breakdown’ label.

Indeed, the language relating to unpaid carers is dripping with blame. We’re either blaming carers for ‘struggling to cope’ and ‘breaking down’ or blaming the person they care for and about by using phrases like ‘the burden of caring’ and ‘respite’ – which means ‘a pause or rest from something difficult or unpleasant’ [3].

‘Carer breakdown’ (carers aren’t cars!), or carers who are exhausted worried isolated ignored lonely confused angry grieving frustrated abandoned desperate scared just trying to do their best for the people they love – or don’t love – and facing so many too many hoops to jump through, forms to fill in, boxes to tick, phone calls to make, battles to fight.

‘Carer breakdown’, or carers we’ve failed to identify and listen to and support?