And the question we have to ask; does this Government actually care?
A study to mark the start of National Carer’s Week reveals how the unsung army of volunteers looking after relatives are risking their own health.
Seven in Ten carers have suffered mental health problems because of caring for loved ones, a grim report has revealed.
A study to mark the start of National Carers’ Week reveals how the unsung army of volunteers looking after relatives are risking their own health.
Seventy-two per cent have suffered mental ill health as a result of caring, while 61% said their physical health had worsened.
Sixty-nine per cent find it difficult to get a good night’s sleep and 54% have cut the amount of exercise they do.
Two in five expect to be able to provide less care or no care in the future because of poor physical health.
Carers UK Chief Executive, Helena Herklots, said; “This new research is a stark reminder that the enormous contribution made by the UK’s 6.5 million unpaid carers must not be taken for granted. Without the unpaid care provided every year by family and friends, our health and care services would collapse.
Yet the physical and mental strain of caring, without enough support, is jeopardising carers’ ability to care in the future.”
Shadow Care Minister, Barbara Keeley said; “It is clear that this Tory Government austerity driven policies are stopping exhausted carers form getting vital breaks from caring.”
Statistics about the unpaid carers here in the UK
*There are around seven million carers in the UK – that is one in ten people. And it is rising!
*Out of the UK’s carers, 42% of carers are men and 58% are women.
*Three in five people will be carers at some point in their lives in the UK
*The economic value of the contribution made by carers in the UK is £132bn a year
*By 2030, the number of carers will increase by 3.4 million (around 60%).