Who is a Carer?

A person who provides care and support to somebody who is ill, frail, or elderly. Carers are unpaid relatives, friends or neighbours who may provide care and support from a few hours a week to full time, in their own home or in the home of the person they care for. This is different to a home care worker or care assistant who is a paid worker or care assistant who is a paid worker employed to provide care.

Did you know...?

• One in 10 adults in the UK are carers 

• Men are almost as likely to care as women - some 42%

• 1.2 million carers spend over 50 hours a week on their caring responsibilites

• 13 million people can expect to become carers in the next decade

• 3 in 5 of the population will become carers at some time in their life*

• 95% of disabled children are cared for at home by a parent*

• There are an estimated 1 million parent carers*

• There are 175,000 young carers under 18 years of age in the UK

• 80% of carers suffer health problems as a result of caring

• 1.6 million full time employees provide some unpaid care and of thoes 144,000 care for more than 50 hours per week

• Carers suffer from financial worries, emotional stress, physical demands, isolation and loneliness, lack of information and support

• Many carers give up an income, future employment prospects and pension rights to be become a carer

• The peak age for caring is 45-64. 20% of the population in this age group provide care 

• Carers save the nation £87 billion a year

Courtesy of The Princess Royal Trust 2007 and * The General Household Survey 1998