Older carers in the UK: who cares?
Long-term care in the UK relies heavily on informal and unpaid carers. Statistical data regarding the number of carers in the 2001 Census compared with the 2011 Census identify an increase of around 600 000 carers. It is also significant that many of these carers are themselves in their late middle age. The reasons for taking on the caring role are varied, but there are significant potential physical, mental and financial issues associated with taking on the caring role. Positive benefits in terms of support provision for the carer do exist, but support services across the UK are variable. This article outlines the problems that may be faced by carers and provides directions for future developments and research into how this situation might be improved.
Senior Lecturer in Primary Care, University of Greenwich, London.
Rona
R
Dury
D000368:Aged; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D012944:Social Support; D006113:United Kingdom
♦ Careers; ♦ Carers; ♦ Mental wellbeing; ♦ Older person; ♦ Physical wellbeing; ♦ Support