“This law foresees a coherent package of support and rights to informal carers, from education and training to psychological and financial support, namely to home adaptations for older and disabled people”, the regional state secretary of social solidarity Andreia Cardoso said.

She presented the new informal carer status to the press and said it should be approved by the regional parliament up to the end of June.

Azores government wants to set up financial support to informal carers which will consider the dependency level and the families’ social-economic status.

Cardoso explained it will not be a salary: “we are not talking about a monthly wage, but rather financial support”.

Informal carers in the Azores will also have access to preferential treatment at regional public services, as well as the right to an annual rest period up to 90 days, leaving the cared person in continuing healthcare services.

The legal informal carer status also foresees an identity card for each carer.