Lebenshilfe Austria calls for existential security and relief for caring relatives
Vienna (OTS) – Care by relatives is once again becoming the focus of public debate due to the lack of professional nursing staff. Especially when caring for children with disabilities, relatives are usually confronted with considerable physical, emotional and financial stress. There is a lack of existential security and flexible care and relief offers. In collaboration with other initiatives, representatives of Lebenshilfe have drawn up a demand paper to protect and relieve the burden on caring relatives.
In addition to mobile and stationary assistance and care offers, caring relatives play an important role as a central form of care in our society. It is not possible for the state to ensure that all people in need of care are cared for by exclusively professional staff. It is therefore all the more important to create regulations and measures to create social security, support and remuneration systems as well as flexible and affordable relief offers for caring relatives.
Claim paper from Lebenshilfe Austria to protect and relieve the burden on caring relatives
In its new demand paper, Lebenshilfe calls for a comprehensive support and relief system for all caring relatives. This was developed in a participatory manner by experts with the involvement of a wide range of initiatives. A central aspect of these demands is the need for choice for family caregivers. They should be able to decide for themselves whether they want to care for the family members they need to look after at home in an “employment model” or whether they want to stay on the job market, and a sponsoring organization takes over the care of the relatives.
For relatives of children and young people with disabilities in particular who want to continue to work, there must be an affordable and flexible care offer for their family members in all federal states, including outside the opening hours of day structures and workshops (evenings, nights and weekends). In addition, there is an absolute need for an extension of the nursing leave entitlement.
But the employment model for caring relatives based on the Burgenland model also needs to be revised. This requires labor law and financial framework conditions as well as a clear commitment that the employment model only works in combination with other time-saving benefits.
Financial support services and care options close to home are lacking
„As a rule, women tend to look after their relatives day and night. Apart from the associated physical and psychological stress, affordable offers to relieve the burden on working, caring relatives, such as mobile care offers and personal assistance as well as care offers close to home, are completely missing in many Lower Austrian communities.
Friederike Pospischil, President of Lebenshilfe Niederösterreich and mother of an adult son with disabilities, reports on her own experiences. “In addition, even though women have worked all their lives and cared for their relatives, they often find themselves trapped in poverty. Caring relatives often take a step back from their careers and reduce their working hours, which in turn has a negative impact on their pension. It is high time that the care of relatives was finally financially rewarded accordingly.
“continues Friederike Pospischil.
Holiday care emergency for children with disabilities
The situation is particularly acute for parents caring for children with disabilities during the 15-week vacation. “While holiday care is available to children from regular schools, there are no or hardly any suitable holiday care offers for children with disabilities in Lower Austria, despite the great need.
criticizes Dominique Stiefsohn, herself the mother of a 9-year-old son with a disability and co-organizer of the initiative for holiday care and family relief in Lower Austria. “One of our demands is therefore to continue providing local care for children with disabilities during the school year, including during the holidays. Municipalities that provide such care should also receive appropriate financial support.
“ says Dominique stepson in conclusion.
Questions & Contact:
Lebenshilfe Austria
Philippe Narval
Secretary General
0664 30 76 679
narwhal@lebenshilfe.at
www.lebenshilfe.at