A DAD from Coventry was forced to scramble around and find care for his mum after his dad’s death.
Michael Challis-Brown has shared his story to raise awareness of the amount of unpaid carers looking after elderly parents and the enormous pressures they face.
Data shows there are currently around four million adult carers, known as carents, in the UK.
Michael said: “At a time when we were both grieving, I was also having to make these huge decisions for mum.
“There was no time to absorb the enormity of our situation, and the pressure was immense.
“My parents loved each other deeply, and when one was unwell, the other always cared for them.
“But when my mum needed a stoma bag, my dad became so worried he ignored his back pain – his cancer medication wasn’t working and the disease had spread to his bones – but like many people from his generation, he was selfless.
“His situation deteriorated and eventually he needed to go into a care home.”
Michael’s dad died on New years Eve.
An organisation called The Carents Room has been launched to help people in a similar to Michael situation with support.
Dr Jackie Gray, who launched the online organisation said: “One of the big issues many carents like Michael face is knowing where to turn.
“That’s why The Carents Room was formed and why it is such an invaluable resource.
“It acts as a one-stop-shop, offering help and guidance on every possible scenario they may face –from help with finances or medical appointments to those things such as power of attorney that people often don’t think about until it is too late.
“But it is also a communal space for people to share their own experiences of carenting.
“Often being a carent can feel lonely, but The Carents Room is designed to show that nobody is ever alone.”
Michael’s mum died shortly after entering care, he said he thinks it would have made a huge difference if he had discovered it before his mum died.
“With so many adults likely to go through a similar experience as me, my advice is to just plan –don’t wait until the last minute as you don’t want to be putting pressure on yourself if and when that moment arrives.”
