The Role of Carers in Low- and Middle-Income Countries
Unpaid family carers around the world play a crucial role in supporting the loved ones they care for, their families and society as a whole.
Caring relationships come in a variety of forms and can include a mother caring for a child with cerebral palsy, a son caring for his elderly father or a wife caring for her husband with schizophrenia. Typically, when a family member requires care there is a ’primary’ carer who is responsible for most, if not all, of the caring responsibilities.
Whilst every carer is unique, they are united by the fact that they work hard every day to care for their loved ones without remuneration for their efforts.
These dedicated individuals provide essential care for those with physical or intellectual disabilities, mental health issues, long-term sickness and the elderly. However, despite their invaluable contributions, unpaid carers often face significant financial, educational, and social limitations. These limitations are magnified in low-and middle-income countries (LIMICs) where there is a lack of formal recognition and support.
This post aims to shed light on the vital roles that unpaid carers fulfil in LMICs, the challenges they face, and how you can support their efforts. By understanding their situation, we hope to inspire action and promote positive change for unpaid carers, who so often sacrifice their own health and well-being to look after their loved ones.
What Key Roles Do Unpaid Carers in LMICs Play?
1. Providing Primary Care
In LMICs, particularly in rural areas where a lot of our support takes place, unpaid carers often serve as the primary source of healthcare for their loved ones. Their day-to-day tasks include:
- Providing basic medical care
- Managing medications
- Monitoring symptoms and detecting potential issues
These responsibilities are especially critical in regions where access to professional healthcare is limited or non-existent.
2. Underpinning the Healthcare System
By providing this primary care they are underpinning their respective health care systems. If monetised, their unpaid care work would represent a significant portion of the healthcare economy.
3. Supporting the Rest of the Family
The majority of unpaid carers in LMICs (and indeed around the world) are women, which means that they are generally also responsible for all other aspects of looking after the family, as well as caring for the relative that needs additional care.
What Challenges Do Unpaid Carers in LMICs Face?
Carers in low-and middle-income countries encounter numerous obstacles in their role:
- Stigma and discrimination, particularly when caring for individuals with certain health conditions or disabilities
- Isolation and lack of recognition for their contributions
- Financial hardship due to reduced earning capacity and increased expenses
- Lack of alternative care options, meaning they never have a break from caring
- Insufficient resources and support
- Lack of knowledge and training in caregiving and healthcare
- Limited access to information about the condition their loved one has
- Risk of carer burnout from the physical and emotional demands of their role
How Can You Help Carers in LMICs?
Your support can make a significant difference in the lives of unpaid carers in LMICs. Here are some ways you can help:
- Donate: Your financial support helps us provide essential services to unpaid carers.
- Raise Awareness: Share information about the challenges faced by unpaid carers in LMICs with your network.
- Fundraise: Have an idea to raise some funds? We would love to hear from you! Need some inspiration? Take a look at our Fundraising Page for some ideas.
- Take on a Challenge Event: There are lots of challenge events across the year you could take part in and ask for sponsorship from family and friends. Explore our Challenge Events, or get in touch if you have your own idea for an event.
- Volunteer: Offer your skills and time to support our initiatives.
- Corporate Partnerships: If you represent a business, consider partnering with us to support unpaid carers.
Your contributions can help us:
- Create and sustain support networks for unpaid carers through our Carers Groups.
- Provide education and training opportunities so that unpaid carers can find income-generating activities that fit their caring responsibilities.
- Offer financial support to help unpaid carers start their own businesses and lift themselves out of poverty.
- Improve access to physical and mental healthcare services for unpaid carers and those they care for.
- Promote greater physical and mental health awareness in LMIC communities.
- Advocate for the needs of unpaid carers across LMICs.
- Provide respite opportunities for unpaid carers to give them a break from their caring role or to give them time to earn an income.
Get Involved to Help Carers Who Need It Most
The role of unpaid carers in low- and middle-income countries is invaluable, yet often overlooked. By supporting these dedicated individuals, we can help improve the lives of not only the unpaid carers themselves but also those they care for and their wider communities.
Take action today to make a difference in the lives of unpaid carers in India, Nepal, and Bangladesh. Your support, no matter how small, can contribute to creating a world where unpaid carers are recognised, valued, and supported.
Ready to help? Make a donation or visit our Get Involved page to learn more about how you can support unpaid carers in LMICs. If you have any questions or need more information, please contact us. Together, we can create positive change for the unpaid carers who need it most.
