Carers

Over 657,000 unpaid carers provide day to day support to family or friends who could not manage without this help.  Every year, another 31,000 people across Scotland take on a caring responsibility.

Many people are caring for an elderly relative, a sick friend or a disabled family member, they do it unpaid and often without support. Caring can involve providing personal, medical, emotional and practical support.

Over 250,000 carers balance paid work with their unpaid caring responsibilities at home.  This can be difficult for many, but with the right support and flexible approaches, carers’ skills and experience can be maintained in the job market which can reduce costs for employers.

The economic and social contribution made by carers is substantial.  Research has demonstrated that it would cost Scotland's health and social services over £7.6 billion to replace the care provided by unpaid carers. 

Carers and Poverty

The Princess Royal Trust for Carers conducted a survey of 800 people who care unpaid for a sick or disabled family member. It found that over half (53%) of all carers who work earn less than £10,000 a year, with three-fifths (60%) having to spend all of their savings to support the person they care for. 89% say that they are financially worse off as a result of caring and, consequently, almost two-fifths (39%) fear they will lose their home.  To cover basic living needs, one in ten (10%) carers questioned have borrowed  high-interest loans (41% plus APR), while three-fifths (62%) have had to borrow money off family and friends. 

Carers and Employment

Over 45 % of carers are aged between 45 – 64 years of age. There is a negative impact on the labour market if carers are not supported to maintain work whilst caring. Yet, on average one in five carers have to give up their jobs because of the burden of caring.

Ageing and the declining population along with better health mean that people have a greater life expectancy. This therefore means that more and more people will become carers at some point in their lives – by 2037 it is estimated that there will be 1 million people in Scotland who have a caring role – we cannot afford to lose these people from the job market.  It means that the chances of a 30 to 54 year old becoming a carer will increase by 88%

Carers tend to take on routine and lower skilled jobs which enable them to maintain caring and work.  Over 20% are in these types of jobs compared. Less than one tenth are in higher skilled or professional occupations.

Health and Wellbeing

In a recent survey, 96% of carers said that caring had negatively affected their health and wellbeing. Almost half reported that physical and other conditions developed after they had started caring, demonstrating the toll that this can take on people especially if they are not supported in their caring role. Financial concerns continue to have a significant effect on carers’ health.

Carers in the survey were keen to have opportunities for their own personal and social development, to reduce isolation – but poverty and lack of support can prevent them from taking up these opportunities.

More information is available on the Carers Scotland website