Carers Can't Afford To Be Ill, UK

Main Category: Caregivers / Homecare
Also Included In: Public Health
Article Date: 09 Jun 2008 - 4:00 PDT

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Carers across the country - who tirelessly devote their time, effort and energy to looking after a loved one - could be putting their own health at risk by ignoring symptoms or not finding the time to visit their own GP for help and advice, a survey has found.

The results of the new UK wide survey of 2,000 carers - reveal that more than three-quarters of those questioned (77%) feel that their health is worse as a result of the strain of caring (for many, up to 24 hours a day, 7 days a week).

The survey is launched today (9 June) as part of Carers Week 2008 and highlights the effect that caring - whether on a long or short term basis - can have on the emotional and physical wellbeing of carers.

Simon Gillespie, chief executive of the MS Society, said: "It is all too easy for carers and their needs to be invisible to wider society. Every day, carers looking after a relative or friend have to put their needs second and often find themselves juggling work commitments and ill-heath on top of their caring responsibility, to the detriment of their own wellbeing.

"It is right therefore for us to mark the contribution of the UK's thousands of carers, to highlight the daily struggle they face and call for better support and services."

Although the survey showed that a large majority of carers admit to feeling ill, anxious or exhausted, a staggering 95% of those questioned said they regularly cover up or disguise the fact that their health was 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 said they frequently felt unable to cope with their day-to-day duties due to the physical and emotional stresses of their caring role, and a further 64% said they were occasionally unable to cope.

Carers Week supporter, TV presenter and actor, Paul O'Grady (who has personal experience of caring), said: "I was surprised to learn that around 6 in 10 of us - from all walks of life - will become carers at some time in our lives.

"Wanting to look after our loved ones is human nature - but this sometimes comes at a price with many carers having to sacrifice their own health and well-being.

"Taking a break, a holiday or even time out to visit the doctor is just not an option. I have the utmost respect for carers and believe they deserve all the support and recognition as they can get - and more".

Carers Week 2008 is jointly organised and supported by ten national charities: Carers UK, Counsel and Care, Crossroads Caring for Carers, Help the Hospices, Independent Age, Macmillan Cancer Support, MS Society, Neurological Alliance, The Princess Royal Trust for Carers and WRVS.

MS Society