Breaking the final barrier, part 1
There are many barriers already broken by women today: the boardroom, finance and politics to name but a few, but there are still two barriers that block many women from achieving their full potential.
Firstly and traditionally, the baby barrier, for it is an undeniable fact that in most households, women still hold the primary responsibility for bringing up the children and for the day to day routine of domestic duties.
However, as the UK population ages, another barrier has sprung up to clutch at the ankles of today’s professional women – the aged parent barrier. Just as their career is really taking off, their aged parent falls into ill health, or simply becomes unable to care for themselves. It’s a real moral dilemma, which for many women can only be resolved by giving up their hard fought for career and becoming their parent’s carer.
There has to be another way and, of course, there is. However it’s one which for many does not readily come to mind.
A full-time carer for their parents, living in the home, ready, willing and experienced at providing the level of care which allows the parents to retain their dignity and their independence. The days of considering a residential home as the only, and all too often, choice of last resort have gone. And good riddance, too!
But how is this option affordable? Where do you turn to for help in finding the right carer? Vital questions requiring pertinent and achievable answers.
For some, there is the option of local authority financing. Unfortunately, there seem to be major differences in the way in which local authorities apply the regulations about assets and financing. For those who wish to read the most updated and accurate information, visit:
In part 2 we explain about local authority funding.