Six Million Carers Deserve Better, UK

10 Jun 2008

The Government's 2006 White Paper 'Our Health, Our Care, Our Say' included a committment to a New Deal for Carers. Today will see the release of a national strategy for carers - a revision of the Prime Minister's 1999 Carers Strategy. The strategy will cover areas of Government responsibility that impact on carers, including income, employment, health and social services and equalities (including equality of opportunity).

Help the Aged today warned that many carers end up sacrificing their own careers, health and quality of life to look after loved ones. Paul Cann, Director of Policy at Help the Aged said: 'More than six million people in the UK are carers. The unsung heroes of our care system, carers are rarely properly recognised or supported.

'Many carers end up sacrificing their own careers, health and quality of life to look after loved ones, and do not know where to turn for support and guidance. Around half of the UK's carers are juggling caring with paid work in the UK - but almost fifty per cent of these carers believe it's not possible to combine being a carer with a career.

'Caring is a normal part of everyday life, which can happen unexpectedly or gradually, and comes to most people at some stage in their lifecourse. Caring should not end a carer's career, damage their education, put their ability to acquire skills and training at risk, or force them to give up work.

'The new carers strategy must reflects carers' priorities, and effectively identify and tackle barriers to their full participation in society. This means ensuring better awareness and so take-up of the benefits and support services available to carers. There must also be greater investment in planned respite care and support. All too often, carers only get help once they've reached breaking point.

'Recent research found that more than 70 per cent of people in the UK think that the government is failing carers. It's vital that Ministers provide comprehensive support to carers - the lifeblood of the UK's care and support system.

'Help the Aged, along with Counsel and Care and Carers UK, are part of the Right care Right deal campaign - a high profile campaign calling for a new settlement for social care in England. We want a future where people can live their lives, their way; supported by a care system which has carers at it's hear t and is funded through a clear, simple and sustainable deal, entered into by the state, community, family and individuals.'

For more information contact Charlie Woodworth, Senior Press Officer, Help the Aged on 020 7843 1561.

Notes

Right care, Right deal is the new national campaign launched to build public awareness and support for the need for brave and innovative solutions for the social care system. With the Government indicating that social care is an urgent political priority, and in advance of the expected green paper later in 2008, the campaign combines three of the UK's largest charities working with and for older people and their families and carers, and will urge the government to renew its vision for the future of social care in England. Visit http://www.rightcare.org.uk

Help the Aged is the charity fighting to free disadvantaged older people in the UK and overseas from poverty, isolation, neglect and ageism. It campaigns to raise public awareness of the issues affecting older people and to bring about policy change. The Charity delivers a range of services: information and advice, home support and community living, including international development work. These are supported by its paid-for services and fundraising activities - which aim to increase funding in the future to respond to the growing unmet needs of disadvantaged older people. Help the Aged also funds vital research into the health issues and experiences of older people to improve the quality of later life.

Help the Aged urgently needs donations and support to help it in the increasingly challenging fight to free disadvantaged older people from poverty, isolation and neglect. Visit http://www.helptheaged.org.uk

Help the Aged

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