A care home manager is calling on the government to give those who look after people with dementia and Alzheimer’s more recognition.

Sharon Edmunds, 59, who runs Blossoms Care Home in Greenhithe, appreciates what her 25 staff do as she was once a carer herself.

However, she believes the role is often downplayed and has launched an online petition demanding that their hard work, dedication and passion are rewarded appropriately.

“Dementia care is a major issue, but I just feel you are not recognised for it. Sometimes I watch the girls and they work really hard.

“I had a bee in my bonnet one day and wondered if a petition would work. I feel being a carer should be recognised as a skill. It is a stressful job mentally and the staff do it, but no one sees.

“They hear about the bad bits, not the good side, and there are a lot of good carers out there.”

The petition needs 10,000 signatures to trigger a government response, and 100,000 signatures for the issue to be debated by Parliament. It states that as all staff working within dementia have to have specialised training and qualifications, the caring profession should be regarded as a specialised career choice.

With fewer than 100 signatures to date, there is some way to go, but Mrs Edmunds believes the issue is important. Mrs Edmunds said it was degrading and demoralising when many were referred to as “only a carer”.

“There are a lot of good, passionate, caring carers out there that are not being recognised for this. The only recognition is bad recognition. Carers are simply not valued enough or appreciated.

“Dementia is now hitting people at a younger age and I feel for those caring for them. Not just professional carers, or ones looking after people with dementia, but all carers, especially those who look after family members in their own homes on a one-to-one basis. I take my hat off to them,” she said.

The petition deadline is December 10. To sign, go to petition.parliament.uk/petitions/132112.