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Walking the tightrope: the challenges of combining work and care in later life
- Authors:
- AGE UK, CARERS UK
- Publishers:
- Age UK, Carers UK
- Publication year:
- 2016
- Pagination:
- 48
- Place of publication:
- London
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)
Caring into later life: the growing pressures on older carers
- Authors:
- CARERS UK, AGE UK
- Publisher:
- Carers UK
- Publication year:
- 2015
- Pagination:
- 28
- Place of publication:
- London
Draws together and analyses evidence from national data sources and older carers themselves to set out key facts about older carers and identify what steps should be taken to better support them. Information is provided on the numbers of older carers, older carers demographics, the hours and type of support older carers provide, health and wellbeing, and access to NHS and social care services. Quotations from older carers are also included, drawn from Carers UK’s State of Caring Survey 2014. The report found that there are 1.2 million carers aged 65 and over in England, with a growing number of older carers aged over 85 years. Of those carers over 85 years: over half are caring for 50 or more hours each week; 59% are men (whereas only 42% of all carers are men); and 48% of carers aged 85 and over who are providing 20 or more hours of care a week say that they feel anxious or depressed. The report makes a number of recommendations, including: using the new duties of the Care Act to develop advice and information that is accessible to older carers; involving older carers in co-producing and commissioning support services; the provision of good quality care services to support carers who wish to continue working, and for national and local government to address older carers' emotional health and wellbeing. Data sources used for the report include Carers UK’s State of Caring Survey 2014, the 2001 and 2011 Census, and GP Patient Survey. (Edited publisher abstract)