Family carers are going without crucial services, whilst providing many hours of additional care for loved ones with increasing needs, new research by Carers UK reveals.
This is at a critical point in the Covid-19 pandemic when more restrictions are being put in place, and many expect life to become more difficult over the winter months.
Earlier this year Rotary Great Britain & Ireland partnered with Carers UK in order to reach out to carers within communities and increase the awareness of the support Carers UK can provide them.
Family carers are going without crucial services, whilst providing many hours of additional care for loved ones with increasing needs, new research by Carers UK reveals.
With 78% of unpaid carers reporting that the needs of the person they care for have increased during the pandemic, it is clear the support Carers UK can provide is needed now more than ever.
Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK said: “The majority of carers have only known worry and exhaustion throughout this pandemic. They continue to provide extraordinary hours of care, without the usual help from family and friends and with limited or no support from local services.”
The survey showed that 58% of carers had seen their physical health impacted by caring through the pandemic, while 64% said their mental health has worsened.
With 78% of unpaid carers reporting that the needs of the person they care for have increased during the pandemic, it is clear the support Carers UK can provide is needed now more than ever.”
Caring for a loved one can be a very rewarding thing, but it can also feel isolating. 62% of carers reported feeling lonely and cut off from people.
Helen Walker added: “It’s no surprise that carers’ physical and mental health is suffering, badly. I am deeply concerned that so many carers are on the brink and desperately worried about how they will manage during the next wave of the pandemic.
“Government must prioritise carers in its plans, carry out an urgent review of breaks’ services and ensure that wider social care services have enough funding to manage over winter. We strongly urge local authorities to use the Infection Control Fund to help reinstate crucial day and support services that carers really need.”
The majority of carers have only known worry and exhaustion throughout this pandemic.
Carers UK is also calling on the Government to ensure that those receiving Carer’s Allowance – the main benefit for people caring 35 hours or more every week – receive an equivalent payment increase to those receiving Universal Credit, £20 a week, to help cover the extra costs that caring will inevitably incur over the winter months.
The charity wants to see the Government set out plans for a long term, sustainable, solution to funding social care that recognises the enormous contribution of unpaid carers and has specific measures to support them at its heart.
For practical advice and information about caring, go to www.carersuk.org or email advice@carersuk.org or call their helpline 0808 808 7777.
