First EFIC® Symposium Societal Impact of Pain - SIP

Dr. Werner Kerschbaum
Deputy Secretary General
Austrian Red Cross
Werner Kerschbaum
Symposium on Societal Impact of Pain
Abstract: “Carers’ Association”
At present, pain is not adequately treated. One
issue in this connection is that patients suffering
from dementia do not receive adequate
treatment due to difficulties in pain assessment.
This pertains to pain therapies in all settings
of medical treatment and nursing: in hospitals,
in private practices and in nursing
homes. This important issue of health and wellbeing
has not been receiving the attention it
deserves to this day.
The specific situation of informal caregivers’
has also not been receiving adequate attention
although they play an important role within the
health system. Family members provide a substantial
part of assistance, care and nursing
services, but their enormous work is not sufficiently
perceived and appreciated. Besides this,
the provision of informal care competes with
other priorities of a carers’ life (e.g. his or her
career). Caregivers’ health suffers from physical,
social and mental burden caused by longlasting
informal care.
In order to improve the situation of informal
carers, the Austrian Red Cross is about to
found “Carers’ Association”. The need to give
informal carers a strong voice was the result
of profound discussions with informal carers,
self-help groups, public and private insurance
companies and other stakeholders such as the
public sector and research institutions.
To help improve the situation of informal carers,
the planned association will encourage the development
of measures like education, information
and training, day-care facilities, providing
more flexible care as well as more and affordable
short-term-care facilities. Important tasks
of this new association will be lobbying and advocacy
among decision makers in the public
and private sector. Another important role will
be to work towards raising awareness for the
social relevance of caregiving and ensuring that
caregivers’ important role shall be appreciated
and rewarded. Also, informal caregivers will be
empowered to represent themselves and their
own concerns. Furthermore, the Carers’ Association
will provide information about existing
services and network structures. Additionally,
it will serve as a contact point for caregivers
and their concerns. Aims are to make caregivers’
work visible, harmonize services and offer
comprehensive information on provisions
and services as well as contributing to a better
compatibility between informal care and career.
Furthermore the Carers’ Association supports
the annual assessment of the Austrian care
allowance. Also, the association will advocate
a more efficient assessment of pain and the
provision of adequate therapies.
The Austrian Red Cross initiated the Carers’
Association and will support it in establishing a
nation-wide structure with regional delegates.
Furthermore, it will help carry out public relations
work with the aim of making the public
aware of the situation of informal caregivers
as well as gaining members.
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