England (Commonwealth Union) – Caring for a loved one is often viewed as noble in society. A new study by the University of Sheffield has revealed that approximately 12,000 people end up as carers daily across the UK.
The research, was conducted together with the charity Carers UK, for Carers Right Day, evaluating data from 2010 to 2020 and indicated, on average, 12,000 people in the UK become an unpaid carer each day. In a year, over 4.3 million individuals across the UK become an unpaid carer for an older, disabled or seriously ill relative or friend. Each year, around 2.3 million of these new unpaid carers are female, and 2 million are male. Over 1.9 million persons become unpaid carers at the same time already balancing paid employment.
The study further indicated that 4 million people cease their unpaid caring roles each year, showing that large amount of people in the UK regularly transition in and out of caring roles each year.
Research conducted on prior occasions by Professor Sue Yeandle, Director of the Centre for Care at the University of Sheffield, discovered that there were assumed to be 570,000 unpaid carers in Yorkshire and the Humber alone. Unpaid carers taking care of a family member or friend as a result of long-term illness, disability or older age, generally don’t identify themselves as such, but rather consider themselves to be carrying out what most would consider the kind of care a family member would carry out for loved ones.
Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK, said: “With our ageing population and loved ones with disabilities living longer – coupled with an ever-greater focus on care being provided at home – it is no surprise that millions of people are taking on an unpaid caring role every year.”
A new evaluation is likely needed to assist care givers who are essential for disabled and elderly persons.
