Beringen (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – 14-year-old Elise from Beringen is one of 163,000 young carers in Flanders. She cares for her mother with MS and her grandmother. 1 in 5 youths aged 11–18 cares for a family member, balancing school, household duties, and caregiving responsibilities.
As VRT News reported, 14-year-old Elise from Beringen, in the province of Limburg, Belgium, is one of 163,000 young people in Flanders who care for a family member. This week, during “Young Carer Week,” young carers are receiving special attention for the work they do at home.
Elise’s mother has multiple sclerosis and is paralysed on her left side. Because of this, Elise helps with household chores and daily tasks. She makes sure her mother has the support she needs and that the home runs smoothly.
How do young carers like Elise manage school and family care in Flanders?
Officials mentioned that young carers like Elise face many challenges. They have to manage school, friends, and hobbies while taking care of a family member. Elise also helps her grandmother.
“Last year, she broke her hip and had to get a new one. Now she’s less móbile, so l help her a little too.”
Elise mainly helps her mother with practical tasks at home.
“My dad has to work, of course, so he can’t do everything by himself. That’s why I help with laundry, setting the table, and cooking. With my grandma, I mainly go to the store, because she’s less mobile.”
“You worry all the time.”
Young caregiver Elise
“I worry all the time. When I get to school, I sometimes forget my homework. It is not because I don’t try, but because I have so much on my mind,”
Elise says. She mentioned that the constant responsibility makes it hard to focus on school and other activities.
Elise also faces challenges with her classmates.
“It is very hard to explain what I do at home. Sometimes they say I have bad parents. That hurts because my parents love me. They cannot help their illness either,”
she explains. Despite these difficulties, Elise tries to see the positives in her situation.
“Being a caregiver makes you mature faster. I can already cook. Sometimes it is nice to feel a bit more grown up,”
she says.
Young carers who need advice or support can visit the Flemish Expertise Centre for Caregivers, the Support Centre for Caregivers, Samana, or Zojong. Health insurance funds are also available to answer questions and provide guidance for young caregivers.
Flanders first celebrated Young Carer Week from October 21 to 25, 2024. The initiative was organised by Steunpunt Mantelzorg and Samana to raise awareness about young people who care for family members. Around 163,000 young carers in the region were highlighted during the week, which included exhibitions, school activities, and discussions about their daily challenges.
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