2 in 5 unpaid carers are sacrificing their own health
19 Jun 2012 09:36 AM
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:
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87% said caring for a family member or friend has had a negative impact on their mental health.
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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.
Carers Week (18 to 24 June 2012) is a consortium of eight national charities:
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Age UK
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Carers Trust
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Carers UK
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Independent Age
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Macmillan Cancer Support
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Marie Curie Cancer Care
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MS Society
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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: