PARTIALLY-BLIND Virelin Miller is a very well looked after lady.
Twice a day, daughter Rene goes round to the 85-year-old's home.
And every morning, lunchtime and evening, eldest daughter Winnie calls her up from London.
These precious visits and telephone chats mean one thing to Virelin – she can live independently and in her own home.
"I'm well cared for," smiles Virelin, who is known to her friends as Ena. "I don't know what I would do without Rene and Winnie. I would be living somewhere else – probably in a home or something."
Ena, who was born in Jamaica, has a string of health issues including dementia. She also has high blood pressure, diabetes, trapped nerves in her spine and a benign tremor. She walks with sticks because her mobility is restricted.
But one thing that keeps her going is the massive amount of support she receives from her family, friends and neighbours.
"I want to live in my own home," said Ena. "It is important to me. I am settled here. People help me.
"I moved from London to Derby, to be nearer my family."
For Rene and Winnie, their mum is a worry in their lives. Caring for her comes top on their priorities.
But for 49-year-old Rene, who works part-time and lives the closest, the biggest responsibility rests in her lap.
Rene, from Derby said: "For quite some time, I didn't see myself as a carer. I was looking after mum, dropping in and making her breakfast, but I didn't think anything of it.
"It was only when I took her to the doctor, that he said something about getting me registered. I asked him what he meant and he said: 'We must register you as a carer'.
"And that is how it happened. Since then, I've been calling myself a carer."
For the past four years, Rene has done everything for her mum. She fixes up medical appointments and takes her to them, and has employed a cleaner and gardener. She has also arranged for her to attend local lunch groups so her mum has a hot meal cooked for her.
"It can be time-consuming," said Rene, who works in two jobs to earn a decent wage.
"But at the same time, it gives me piece of mind that she is getting out and socialising with her friends.
"Looking after my mum is a privilege but it is also a tricky task."
Rene does not receive carers' allowance – she earns too much money. Carers who earn more than £100 a week are not eligible for extra financial support.
"I have three jobs really," said Rene. "But I only get paid for two.
"My mum is getting older now and her health is getting worse. She needs support. Sometimes she can be in quite a lot of pain and needs me."
Rene works every afternoon at the University of Derby. In the mornings, before she goes to see her mum, she has another two-hour job.
When she's done that, her time is her mum's.
"Sometimes I get her breakfast and help her get up, other times she's done it all and is sitting in the kitchen," said Rene.
"She has mobility issues so I do worry about her falling over and there is medication she needs to take which I have to organise."
Ena knows she needs support. She is happy to receive it.
But sometimes she feels bad for relying on her daughters and her friends.
"Getting old is not much fun," she said. "I can't do my crochet and I used to like going to aqua aerobics.
"Now I have to spend more time at home and I do get fed up."
Since Rene registered with Creative Carers on Charnwood Street, she has received support and training.
She now knows much more about being a carer and has started to access services in the city.
"The balance course was great," said Rene. "It taught me how to try and get the balance right and I got to meet other carers too."
Rene never moans about caring for her mum but she does think carers deserve more recognition.
She believes carers generally go unnoticed and she says that is not fair.
"I've had to drive over to my mum's in the night and all sorts," said Rene. "If she gets out of bed for a long time in the night, the care company calls me.
"The pressure pads she sleeps on know she's got up and alert the care company. Then I have to go and investigate.
"She might have fallen, so I have to check on her.
"Thankfully, she has always been all right, but I can't take that risk. My husband or I will and see what's going on."
Rene only lives a couple of miles away from her mum and that is a good thing.
The pair spend so much time together they need to be logistically close.
"I have to be mindful of mum's feelings when I'm talking about her to the doctor or speaking with people at the hospital," said Rene.
"She needs me to sort these kind of things out, but I don't like to take over.
"My job is to make sure she's safe and well. My job is to put the support mechanisms in place so she can still live on her own.
"She knows I'd do anything for her. I'm happy to help."
NO BENEFITS FOR OAPS OR WORKERS ON £100 A WEEK
Carers who receive state pensions or are employed and earn more than £100 a week are not eligible for Carer's Allowance, which currently stands at £61.35 a week.
There are certain rules which apply to the carer and to the person being cared for.
It does not matter if you (the carer) are related to the ill or disabled person, or whether you live in the same household.
But you must be over 16, spend at least 35 hours a week looking after the person and have lived in Britain for at least two of the past three last years.
Deborah Gough, care support manager at Derbyshire Carers Association on Babington Lane, Derby, said: "Whether or not you receive Carer's Allowance, people are still caring and doing their best for their families.
"It does seem unfair when people come to us with financial problems and can't claim Carer's Allowance.
"These people are doing a wonderful job. They are keeping cared-for people out of care homes, nursing homes and hospital."
A one-week stay in a specialist dementia care home in Derby can cost upwards of £600 a week.
In the past two months, the Derby Telegraph has told the stories of two other carers in Derby. Single mum Jen Wilcoxson, of Mickleover, earns less than £1 an hour as a full-time carer to her son, Alex, 24.
And pensioner Kathy Smedley, of Alvaston, does not receive Carer's allowance for looking after her 32-year-old son Graeme, who has Down's syndrome and is on the autism spectrum.
She is not eligible for the money because her pension already counts as receiving a benefit.
Deborah said: "We advise all carers to get in touch. We can give them an assessment and that could lead to a one-off personal budget being paid out.
"Also, we can talk about their ongoing care plan and discuss things like a long-term plan.
"Carers are saving the Government £119m a year."
The Care Act, which comes into force next May, could make a difference to some of the most vulnerable people in society.
It aims to support carers and make clear what financial support is available. It will change the way the social care system will work in the future.
A spokesman for Age UK said: "As a carer, you have certain basic rights.
"You have the right to have your views taken into consideration by social services when they are deciding how best to meet the needs of the person you care for.
"You can get a carer's assessment, request flexible working from your employer and receive financial support through Carer's Allowance."
