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Why do carers need help?

Being a Carer comes with many different challenges and caring can take a significant toll on an individual’s physical and mental health. Early identification can make a huge difference.

Carers often go unidentified and under supported

It is well evidenced that caring can take a significant toll on an individual’s physical and mental health. Without early identification, caring can be an isolating and overwhelming experience.

  • 73% of people who are or have been carers do not identify themselves as carers.
  • 29% of people who did recognise themselves as a carer took up to 1 year from when their caring role actually started.
  • Over a third of carers took more than three years to recognise they were a carer.

Physical and mental impact of caring

Carers are more likely to experience physical and mental ill-health compared to their non caring peers.

  • 61% of carers say that caring has had a negative effect on their physical health.
  • In 2021 the GP patient survey revealed 60% of carers reported a long-term health condition or disability compared to 50% of non-carers and more than 70% reported their mental health had suffered.
  • Since the pandemic, the number of carers providing significant care (over 20hrs/week) has increased by 42%
  • 71% of carers have contemplated suicide [O'Dwyer 2019]
  • 46% carers told us that they are missing out on socialisation due to their caring role. This situation has only worsened with the pandemic.
  • 29% of carers said they felt lonely often or always with 41% not taking a break in the last year. 51% of carers said that being able to take a break would help them feel less lonely.

What carers tell us

In our own recent engagement of over 800 carers, the top 3 challenges carers said they face are:

  • Feelings of stress.
  • Managing own physical/mental health.
  • Missing out on socialisation because of caring.

The cost-of-living crisis has had a devastating impact on some carers. In our survey, 59% of carers said they have financial worries. Many households need to keep their heating on due to the health condition of the person they care for, many carers have had to give up work or reduce hours due to their caring role.

 

“I can’t afford decent healthy food for myself as my priority is feeding the person I care for and there is not enough for both of us”
~ Anonymous Carer