This report looks at the prevalence of caring the UK and people's likelihood of becoming a carer in the future. It draws new analysis of longitudinal data in the British Household Panel Survey and Understanding Society, carried out by the Universities of Sheffield and Birmingham as part of the ‘Sustainable Care: connecting people and systems programme’. The analysis shows that the average person has a 50:50 chance of caring by the time they are 50, yet most people do not have plans in place. The analysis also shows that women on average take on caring responsibilities over a decade earlier than men, they are also more likely to be caring for more hours than men. With most carers in the middle age, the report also highlights importance of providing support to help carers to remain in the workplace. Based on the analysis, the report proposes policy recommendations to raise awareness of caring, maintain carers health and wellbeing, and enable carers to remain in the workplace.
(Edited publisher abstract)
This report looks at the prevalence of caring the UK and people's likelihood of becoming a carer in the future. It draws new analysis of longitudinal data in the British Household Panel Survey and Understanding Society, carried out by the Universities of Sheffield and Birmingham as part of the ‘Sustainable Care: connecting people and systems programme’. The analysis shows that the average person has a 50:50 chance of caring by the time they are 50, yet most people do not have plans in place. The analysis also shows that women on average take on caring responsibilities over a decade earlier than men, they are also more likely to be caring for more hours than men. With most carers in the middle age, the report also highlights importance of providing support to help carers to remain in the workplace. Based on the analysis, the report proposes policy recommendations to raise awareness of caring, maintain carers health and wellbeing, and enable carers to remain in the workplace.
(Edited publisher abstract)
As the UK population ages, and people live longer with serious disability and long-term conditions, rising care needs are putting increasing pressure on families and health and social care services. However, social care funding has not kept pace with rapidly growing demand, and social care services often fail to deliver the support families need. Existing services struggle to match the way families live and work, and so often do not provide the help vital to managing competing priorities including childcare, work, social lives and care for older and disabled relatives. This document examines the reform of social care through an economic lens - exploring the economic costs to families and business of a lack of support forcing carers to give up work to care, but also the economic opportunities of stimulating growth in the care market. Looking to international evidence, and exploring the barriers and stimulants to growth, it calls for a new National Care Strategy in partnership with the business community. Specifically, it calls for: incentivising the care market; identifying the benefits of growing the care sector across different areas of government; building a coherent evidence base across different areas of interest and different government departments; promoting the business case for growing the care sector; recognising the potential of technology to transform services; and promoting new jobs and new skills.
As the UK population ages, and people live longer with serious disability and long-term conditions, rising care needs are putting increasing pressure on families and health and social care services. However, social care funding has not kept pace with rapidly growing demand, and social care services often fail to deliver the support families need. Existing services struggle to match the way families live and work, and so often do not provide the help vital to managing competing priorities including childcare, work, social lives and care for older and disabled relatives. This document examines the reform of social care through an economic lens - exploring the economic costs to families and business of a lack of support forcing carers to give up work to care, but also the economic opportunities of stimulating growth in the care market. Looking to international evidence, and exploring the barriers and stimulants to growth, it calls for a new National Care Strategy in partnership with the business community. Specifically, it calls for: incentivising the care market; identifying the benefits of growing the care sector across different areas of government; building a coherent evidence base across different areas of interest and different government departments; promoting the business case for growing the care sector; recognising the potential of technology to transform services; and promoting new jobs and new skills.
Subject terms:
older people, social care provision, ageing, carers, economics, evidence-based practice;
... to the changing demands of an ageing population. Areas discussed include: the availability of suitable and good quality housing; funding for home adaptations; the role of technology and smart homes to support both independent living and the carers' role; housing costs; insecurity of privately rented accommodation; and demand for supported and extra- sheltered housing. It calls for housing to be recognised as a key element of ensuing that people are able to care for their families. The paper sets out a number of key recommendations to address some of the challenges facing carers, including: the development of a national cross-Government housing and care strategy to meet the needs of an ageing population and those with disabilities; exception of carers, who need an extra bedroom to help them carry out
(Edited publisher abstract)
Research summary which draws together evidence on the impact of inaccessible and unsuitable housing on carers and their families. The summary looks at the impact of housing on carers' health and identifies some of the key housing challenges they face. It outlines the current policy context, highlighting a lack of investment in social care provision and the failure of UK's housing stock to adapt to the changing demands of an ageing population. Areas discussed include: the availability of suitable and good quality housing; funding for home adaptations; the role of technology and smart homes to support both independent living and the carers' role; housing costs; insecurity of privately rented accommodation; and demand for supported and extra- sheltered housing. It calls for housing to be recognised as a key element of ensuing that people are able to care for their families. The paper sets out a number of key recommendations to address some of the challenges facing carers, including: the development of a national cross-Government housing and care strategy to meet the needs of an ageing population and those with disabilities; exception of carers, who need an extra bedroom to help them carry out their caring responsibilities, from the ‘bedroom tax’; and the need to consider housing needs as part of carer’s assessments and needs assessments when implementing the Care Act 2014.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Drawing on an analysis of the literature and available data, and discussions with carers aged 50 and over, this report looks at the challenges older people face when combining work and caring. It highlights the barriers they face in the workplace and the compromises they have to make in their own working lives, such as turning down promotion. It also examines the negative impact on carers' forced to leave the labour market due to their caring responsibilities. This can include financial disadvantage and poorer health and wellbeing. It estimates that caring as little as five hours a week can have a significant impact on employment prospects, with those caring for more than 10 hours a week at marked risk of leaving the labour market altogether. The report then presents some possible solutions to help retain older carers in the workplace, and includes practice examples from a range of organisations. Case studies and quotations from focus groups and discussions held with carers are also included throughout. The report then sets out a series of recommendations for employers, Government and others to help carers remain in the workplace. These include: improving access to flexible working; increasing awareness of the challenges carers face within the workplace, particularly among managers; supporting carers through times of transition and in emergencies; improving access to care services; and improving financial support for carers.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Drawing on an analysis of the literature and available data, and discussions with carers aged 50 and over, this report looks at the challenges older people face when combining work and caring. It highlights the barriers they face in the workplace and the compromises they have to make in their own working lives, such as turning down promotion. It also examines the negative impact on carers' forced to leave the labour market due to their caring responsibilities. This can include financial disadvantage and poorer health and wellbeing. It estimates that caring as little as five hours a week can have a significant impact on employment prospects, with those caring for more than 10 hours a week at marked risk of leaving the labour market altogether. The report then presents some possible solutions to help retain older carers in the workplace, and includes practice examples from a range of organisations. Case studies and quotations from focus groups and discussions held with carers are also included throughout. The report then sets out a series of recommendations for employers, Government and others to help carers remain in the workplace. These include: improving access to flexible working; increasing awareness of the challenges carers face within the workplace, particularly among managers; supporting carers through times of transition and in emergencies; improving access to care services; and improving financial support for carers.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
older people, employment, carers, ageing, user views, case studies, adults, access to services, conditions of employment;