Carers Week Logo - Click to go to home page

Carers Week 9-15 June 2008

Carers can't afford to be ill

Download a high resolution version of this, and many other pictures from the image library.

   CARERSWEEK.ORG

  NEWSROOM   

  EVENT ORGANISERS   

  CARERS   

   HOME

 > HOME

NEWSROOM

EVENT ORGANISERS

CARERS

Carers Week contact details

T 0845 241 2582
F 020 7490 8824
E mail@carersweek.org

20 Great Dover Street
London SE1 4LX

 

Carers can't afford to be ill

The results of the Carers Week survey of 2,000 carers throughout the UK highlight just what effect caring can have, especially regarding health, relationships, career and finances. Key findings include:

More than three-quarters of those questioned (77%) feel that their health is worse as a result of the strain of caring.

A large majority of carers admit to feeling ill, anxious or exhausted, with a staggering 95% of those questioned saying they regularly cover up or disguise the fact that their health is suffering in order to continue with their caring responsibilities.

Worryingly, one-fifth (19%) of these carers said they ignored feeling ill "all the time".

Almost 1 in 4 (24%) of carers say they frequently feel unable to cope with their day-to-day duties due to the physical and emotional stresses of their caring role, and a further 64% say they are occasionally unable to cope.

Based on the survey results, it is little surprise that the health of so many carers is suffering, with:

* 71% saying that they hadn't been able to take at least one week of "holiday" or "free" time when they were not having to care for someone

* 3 out of 5 (60%) carers who are also in paid employment, say they have used part of their annual leave simply to allow them to devote more time to their role as a care

* One fifth of those (20%) said they used more than 10 days of their holiday allocation.

More than 2 in 3 of those questioned (67%) said there had been a number of instances when they had been unable to find an opportunity to visit their GP about their own health concerns, due to time constraints and a general lack of flexibility to leave the house to attend appointments.

Well over half (55%) said they had not had a chance to discuss their concerns about their mental or physical health with someone else (either a friend or healthcare professional) further highlighting the isolation and selflessness that many carers experience on a daily basis.

Almost two-thirds (65%) of people admitted that, to some extent, health problems had affected their ability to care.

This leads to extra worry and anxiety for carers about their situation with 96% saying they were very concerned about who would take over their role should they fall ill.


MORE >>

Download a high resolution version of this, and many other pictures from the image library.
 

This site is organised into three sections; NewsroomEvent Organisers and Carers. Alternatively use the links at the bottom of this page to search the site.

 

Complete our online form to be added to the Carers Week updates list. Sign up here >>

 

How we can help carers

Carers Week is organised by national charities who support carers. Visit our partners MORE >>

 

Carers question the Minister

Carers Question Time 2008 featured Minister for Carers, Ivan Lewis MP (pictured), Shadow Health Minister, Stephen O'Brien MP, actress Pam Ferris MORE >>

 

Carers Job Description launched

A ‘spoof’ (yet realistic) job description has been compiled, spelling out the lack of pay, perks and benefits for those taking on the role of a carer. MORE >>

 

Charley and Elliot win Young Carers Photography competition

Charley Bance, age 13, from Northolt in Middlesex, and Eliot Mucklow, age 11 from Warwick have been named as the winners MORE >>

 

Celebrities support Carers Week

Many celebrities have expressed their support for Carers Week 2008, amongst them Sir David Jason MORE >>

 
 

  NEWSROOM > 

Latest news l Facts & Information l What's happening in your area l Parliamentary Champion speaks out l Image library l Case studies l Celebrity supporters l

  EVENT ORGANISERS > 

Register your events and activities l Latest newsletter l Publicising your events l Celebrity supporters l Resources for your event l Facts & Information l Image library l

  CARERS > 

Carers Champions in Primary Care Trusts l Carers Week messages l Money off vouchers and bookmarks l Carers can't afford to be ill l Zoom! l Local support and services for carers l Carers Week in your area l Parliamentary Champion l Carers from every community l

  CARERS WEEK PARTNERS > 

  SUPPORTED BY > 

         
 

© CARERS WEEK - 2008