About Carers

Throughout the website the term "Carer" means someone who looks after a partner, relative or friend who needs support because of their sickness, age or disability. The support they provide is unpaid.

Who are Carers?

In order to support those Carers needing most help, legislation defines Carers as people who provide or intend to provide a substantial amount of care on a regular basis. In effect this means a Carer who typically is supporting someone on a daily basis or at least for most days of the week. The support provided could cover personal care, practical assistance, help with medical matters or the supervision of someone who is at risk owing to physical frailty or mental health issues.

Very often Carers do not see themselves as such and just feel they are doing their duty to a relative or friend. This often means that such people deny themselves the support which they need.

The position of young people who are Carers is particularly difficult and they need specialist support. The process of caring can stop them from enjoying their youth and may prevent them from acquiring many of the necessary social and life skills they will need in later years.

Caring is not restricted to one part of society: people of any ages, sex, background, occupation, race, culture or religion can find themselves becoming a Carer.

DOES THIS DESCRIBE YOU AS A CARER?

You are not alone

Here are some facts and figures about Carers in the UK:

The facts

·         There are approximately 6 million Carers in the UK

·         1 in 10 PEOPLE ARE CARERS

·         If every Carer stopped caring it would cost the government £57 billion a year.

·         1.7 million Carers care for more than 20 hours a week.

·         1,250,000 care for more than 50 hours a week

·         79% of Carers say that their health has suffered as a result of their caring responsibilities.

·         33% say they have not had a break in the last two years

·         Family and friends provide 70% of care.

·         The number of Carers in the UK is likely to double over the next 10 years.

·         20% of Carers are in full or part time employment

·         3 in 5 people of working age will become a Carer.

·        There are approximately 175,000 young Carers under 18

Make time for yourself

Who may a Carer be caring for?

A Carer may be caring for:-

older people (including people with dementia)
children with disabilities
people with physical disabilities
people with visual or hearing impairment
people with mental illness
people with learning disabilities
people with HIV/AIDS
people who misuse substances

Help with caring

Becoming a Carer usually means making great sacrifices. Carers can sometimes face loneliness and isolation, deteriorating physical and mental health, financial difficulties, loss of income and employment. Some try to maintain their normal life as well as being Carers and thus suffer even greater strain.

Caring for someone can be a 24 hour a day job. Most Carers need a break. CROSSROADS allows you some time alone to pursue your own interests, to do essential things for yourself and to generally "recharge your batteries". It can also be of benefit to the person for whom you care, offering them "space" and perhaps the opportunity to meet others.

Go to our "How WE can help" page to find out about how CROSSROADS supports Carers.

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Copyright 2006. CSCI Registered under the Care Standards Act 2000. Registered in England & Wales as a Company Limited by Guarantee No.4374172. Registered Charity No.1091763. Scheme Member of the Association of Crossroads Care Attendant Schemes Limited.

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