Reality: From our findings, 10% of those who responded look after someone in a care home. 

Caring responsibilities don't stop when loved ones enter care homes; they simply change.

They are still providing valuable care to someone who needs them.

Our community let us know how they still care for their loved who who is in a care home...

I liaise with his GP and organise any hospital or dental appointments needed. I also go to any appointments with him as I am the only one who knows his full medical history. I buy all his clothes and personal toiletries and I get him extra food that he likes. I visit him every other day which is a 45 minute round trip.

I spent many hours caring for my wife each day, 2 - 12 hours depending on my other responsibilities. Since she was bed-bound, and although asleep most of the time, she needed a lot of encouragement to drink enough and eat.

Although [my daughter] is in residential care she still needs me to contact her every evening if I have not seen her during the day. Often we talk for an hour. I take her to see family members, and often shopping as she cannot do this on her own. She will often ask for me to check or help write emails. I take her to meetings when necessary, or support her with online meetings.

Out of those who said their loved one is in a care home, over half (55%) said that although their physical caring responsibilities have decreased, it can feel like other aspects have increased.

It is a totally different type of caring still time consuming but I have to do it because he is my lovely husband.

Although I had fewer responsibilities, and knew my wife was safe 24 hours a day, overall I spent as long with her and caring for her as when she was at home. I believe I became more tired while she was in care, since I was away from home when caring for her.

Reality: You can be a carer regardless of your employment status and it doesn't matter how many hours you work.

37% of those who responded to our survey are employed. With 10% of carers working more than 31 hours per week.

Many carers are looking after their loved one and working at the same time with 90% having caring responsibilities while they are at work and told us they are on on call 24/7 in case of emergencies.

Carers shared with us how they care for their loved ones whilst working:

• Keeping their phone on and by their side at all times.
• Providing reminders to take medication or have something to eat.
• Washing, cleaning and preparing meals.
• Working from home to have a constant presence at home for safety reasons.
• Assisting with personal care and hygiene needs.
• Being available to attend care homes and social work meetings if required.
• Providing reassurance to their loved one, via telephone or in person.
• Taking time out of work to attend medical appointments.

I always have my phone on me just in case l need to leave and support Mum.

My husband relies on me to arrange appointments, remind him to take medication and to eat while I am working.

Caring is a 24 hour a day job. I'm always on call even when working.

My daughter relies on her medication through the day and at night. My phone is always on high alert even when she’s not present with me. I have to remind whoever has her that she has a routine in place and at certain times needs this and that!

As a result of balancing caring and employment, we have heard that some carers are having to change or leave their jobs as they put their caring role first – often leaving them disadvantaged financially.

Just over a quarter (26%) of working carers told us that their employer doesn't acknowledge or adequately support them as a carer, which makes the new unpaid carers leave legislation even more important.

Reality: Schools can and should help young carers!

Research has shown that 38% of young carers report having a mental health condition (Carers Trust, 2023). So, it is no surprise that caring can have a significant impact on their physical health, mental wellbeing and educational outcomes.

The challenges associated with their caring responsibilities and their situation at home can make it difficult for young carers to access support. For example, they’re unable to get support without the assistance of a parent or guardian or they’re worried about asking for help because other people don’t know that they’re a young carer.

Loneliness for a young carer is thinking you are the only one like you and none of your friends will understand. You feel like you’re trapped in a box.

Our Young Carers Council have highlighted that support from their school is so important for their wellbeing. They have worked hard to coproduce a Young Carer Strategy alongside Bath and North East Somerset Council and have named schools as being crucial for implementing support. By having their schools understand their responsibilities and recognise them, it can help improve their attendance, attainment, and achievement in school. It can also boost their wellbeing at home too.

I think it’s important for teachers to know what young carers are going through so they know how to approach them if they’re upset or stressed.

Based on young carers' feedback for more support in schools, The Carers’ Centre has developed a Working Together for Young Carers workshop for educational professionals in our local area, to help teachers and staff identify and support young carers in their schools.

Iona’s story highlights the significance of young carer support in schools and demonstrates the positive impact a school’s involvement can have on young carers.

Young carers are remarkable individuals and schools can play a big role in helping them get the support they need and deserve.

Reality: Older carers are capable of providing the level of care needed.

52% of carers who responded to our survey were over 65 years old.

35% of those over 65 have been caring for someone for over 10 years.

Our fantastic community shared with us some of their daily responsibilities…

• Domestic chores (cleaning, cooking, shopping and gardening).
• Keeping on top of finances and bills.
• Organising medical and social care support.
• Taking their loved ones out, especially if they have limited mobility.
• Personal and hygiene care – showering, bathing, taking them to the toilet and getting them dressed.
• Helping their loved one communicate with healthcare professionals to ensure their loved one understands any treatment or diagnosis.
• Keeping their loved one safe – locking doors and windows and ensuring they don’t have access to keys.
• Encouraging and ensuring that their loved one eats and drinks enough.
• Providing medical support e.g. ensuring they take medication, giving injections and changing colostomy and urology bags.
• Emotional support – providing reassurance, helping them deal with anxiety and supporting their mental state.
• Assisting with technology like phones, tablets and computers.
• Maintain their relationship as a spouse, partner or friend.

By the last couple of years, I did everything for him except breathe!

This is just a snapshot of the caring responsibilities that some older carers have. But it provides a glimpse at the high level of care that they provide.

Older carers bring different strengths and unique qualities to their caring role that can sometimes be overlooked or underestimated by others. Such as…

More patience and definitely a greater understanding of the person if they've lived with them a long time.

More empathy when caring for an older person, and more awareness of their needs.

We are not 'starry-eyed' about the job and are more able to deal with the more unpleasant bits and get our hands dirty! We just know more about how things are - no illusions left.

The ability to carry on despite decades of caring.

Reality: Caring has a physical, emotional and material cost.

Although carers can receive Carers Allowance and other benefits depending on their situation, the current cost of living crisis has exacerbated the financial pressures that unpaid carers face.

Many carers, regardless of whether they work or not, can find the cost of caring challenging.

Earlier this year we had funding for specific cost of living grants to help carers cover things such as utility bills, appliances, and home necessities such as food, clothing and DIY tools. The response we had from our community was unprecedented and the money we were awarded could not cover everyone’s needs.

In total, we received 152 applications asking for various items such as…

• Payments towards gas, electricity and council tax bills
• Fridge freezers, ovens/cookers, microwaves and washing machines
• Mattresses, beds and bedding
• Carpet, curtains and blinds
• Clothing
• Supermarket vouchers
• Mould paint
• Payments towards day care costs

Alongside the material cost, caring for a loved one often carries significant emotional and physical costs.

Emotionally, caregivers can experience heightened stress, anxiety, and feelings of isolation as they navigate the demands of their role, often sacrificing their own needs and social connections.

Physically, the strenuous nature of caregiving tasks - such as lifting, bathing, and assisting with mobility - can lead to exhaustion, chronic pain, and other health issues.

The constant balancing act between caring responsibilities and personal life can further enhance these challenges, underscoring the need for adequate support and resources for unpaid carers.