Children as young as 10 are sacrificing school and social life to care for parents, siblings or grandparents, according to a new study for the Carers' Association, which interviewed 15 carers aged between 10 and 18. The average age was 14 years. In eight cases only the mother was living at home and in six cases only the father. Almost all the children were caring for the parent.
The study was conducted by Ms Gail Birkbeck and Ms Christine Linehan of the National Research Agency and by Dr Geraldine Moane of the Department of Psychology, University College Dublin. The results are published in the Carers' Association magazine, Take Care!
Problems in people being cared for by children include depression, forgetfulness, confusion, restlessness, alcoholism and physical illness.
"Ten of the young carers missed school, with seven missing school once a week and seven reported not having enough time for homework," the report says. They reported feeling tired and lonely, being constantly busy, missing out on social life, not being acknowledged, and in one case, being blamed for mental health problems.
"The main reward for young carers was the satisfaction of knowing that the care receiver was getting good care and that they were doing something worthwhile. Seven reported having a good relationship with the care receiver, but 11 reported having arguments with the care receiver and two cases reported being hit by the care receiver.
"Young carers received very little support either from formal services such as meals-on-wheels or social workers, or from informal networks such as other family members, neighbours or friends. However, eight of the respondents did receive some support from someone whom they saw every day."