According to a new survey by the Carers Trust, more than 40% of carers said they are not receiving the support they need.
Approximately 12% reported an increase of over 50 hours in their weekly caregiving time over the past year, with an additional 36% noting a rise ranging from 20 to 49 hours per week in their caregiving responsibilities.
Most concerningly, the data showed that female, older and LGBTQ+ identifying unpaid carers, as well as those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds often encounter additional hurdles when it comes to accessing help.
Unpaid caregivers aged 50-65 expressed the highest dissatisfaction with the support they receive (73%). Similarly, 58% of individuals over 65 shared this sentiment. In terms of socioeconomic status, 64% of those from less affluent backgrounds reported inadequate support, in contrast to a mere 11% of their counterparts from more affluent backgrounds.
Carers Trust CEO, Kirsty McHugh, said: “These shocking findings show how some of the most vulnerable people in our society are being left alone to shoulder the burden of unpaid care. It’s vital that support becomes more inclusive and accessible, recognising the diverse experience of the UK’s seven million unpaid carers.
“Many carers tell us their local carer organisations are a lifeline in these difficult times but these services require more funding and staff to ensure they can continue to provide high-quality support. Meanwhile, many are being pushed into poverty by having to give up paid work due to their caring role, often having to make do with Carer’s Allowance, a benefit which had proved completely inadequate and must urgently be overhauled.
“The fact that so many say they aren’t getting enough support should be a wake-up call to the UK government. It is high-time they fixed social care and eased the demands on millions of undervalued unpaid carers in this country.”
Responding to the survey, Beverley Tarka, president of the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services, added: “Many carers, particularly women or those from Black, Asian or minority ethnic communities, are paying a high price for caring with their health and finances, and we are seeing increasing levels of breakdown among carers.
“Language and cultural barriers can make getting advice and support harder, with many carers preferring ‘not to make a fuss’ or seeing caring as their duty.
“Directors of adult social care like myself want to do more to keep both carers and the people they are caring for, well and independent at home, before they reach crisis point and require more costly medical care. Ahead of the next election we are calling on political parties of all colours to set out a long-term plan for investment in adult social care, so everyone can get the care they need, when they need it.”
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