Tuesday 19 Jun 2012 @ 11:30
Third Sector
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2 in 5 unpaid carers are sacrificing their own health

Two in five unpaid carers are sacrificing their own health, putting off medical treatment to care for an ill or disabled loved one, according to a new survey, published to mark the start of  Carers Week.

The survey completed by 3,400 carers across the UK, showed that caring had a negative impact on 83% of carers’ physical health, with 36% of carers sustaining a physical injury (such as back pain) through caring. A further:
  • 87% said caring for a family member or friend has had a negative impact on their mental health.
  • 64% of carers blamed their poor health on a lack of practical support and 50% on not enough financial support.
Carers UK, Age UK and other leading care and support charities say the survey provides further evidence of a growing care crisis, and are calling for better financial and practical support for the 6.4 million unpaid carers in the UK, so they can look after their health and well-being.

Carers Week Manager Helen Clarke says; 'It’s a scandal that carers can’t get the time or support they need to look after themselves which could be jeopardising their health as a result. Carers are feeling the strain of a woefully under-funded system and still we’re seeing more cuts.

'Unpaid carers save the Government a fortune - £119 billion a year, yet they’re let down in return. It is time for urgent action to tackle the crisis in social care.'

Carers Week (18 to 24 June 2012) is a consortium of eight national charities:
  • Age UK
  • Carers Trust
  • Carers UK
  • Independent Age
  • Macmillan Cancer Support
  • Marie Curie Cancer Care
  • MS Society
  • Parkinson’s UK
During Carers Week thousands of information and advice events take place all over the UK run by a wide range of organisations:

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