A third of carers receive no practical support

A third of those caring full-time for older, disabled or seriously ill loved ones receive no practical support, according to new research from Carers UK.

The results of a survey of over 3,000 carers across the UK show that many are struggling alone without advice or support and are seeing caring taking a toll on their health, family finances and careers as a result.

The charity has warned that leaving many of the UK’s 6.5 million carers with little or no support risks pushing them to breaking point, and that new cuts to benefits and services could undo decades of work to improve carers’ lives.

The survey also showed that 44% of carers were pushed into debt as a result of the extra costs of caring and giving up work or reducing hours to care.

A YouGov poll commissioned by Carers UK earlier this year showed a staggering 2.3 million adults have given up work to care for an elderly parent, disabled or seriously ill loved ones.

Carers UK’s new survey showed that over half (56%) of those who gave up work to care had spent over five years out of work as a result.

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