Scotland's army of unpaid carers are reaching crisis point as their own health problems soar and they struggle to get by on low incomes
Scottish carers are reaching breaking point, experiencing high levels of depression, poor incomes and declining health as a result of their caring roles.
New research from Carers Scotland has revealed a desperate need for more support for Scots who are looking after ill or disabled loved ones, many of whom have given up work to do so.
Half of Scottish unpaid carers surveyed as part of the charity’s UK State of Caring 2015 survey said they were struggling to get by on their income, nine in 10 are stressed and more than eight out of 10 say their caring role is negatively affecting their health.
Depression has now become a major issue affecting carers with 60% saying they have experienced it. Many carers, 78%, say they don’t get enough sleep.
Our latest report shows that being a carer in 2015 can be incredibly tough, taking a huge toll on health and mental wellbeing, finances and relationships - Simon Hodgson
One carer who took part in the survey said: “The last full night’s sleep I had was in 2009. I have torn ligaments in my leg and I’ve damaged my back and both knees. I’m mentally exhausted and depressed, very isolated and lonely.”
The government should be making increasing financial support to carers a top priority, according to 41% of those who took part in the research.
Director of Carers Scotland, Simon Hodgson, said: “Carers are saying loud and clear that they want to see action taken over the next parliament to put in place the right care and support services to improve their health and greater financial support to stop them and their families ending up in financial hardship.
“Our latest report shows that being a carer in 2015 can be incredibly tough, taking a huge toll on health and mental wellbeing, finances and relationships.”
Over the next five-year parliament, over 800,000 people in Scotland will take on a new caring role for a disabled, older or seriously-ill relative or friend.
Hodgson said: “We are calling on the UK government to take active steps towards making carers a priority over the next parliament, to ensure that all carers have reason to be optimistic about their future by 2020.”
Facts about carers
In Scotland there are currently 759,000 carers caring for a loved one who is older, ill or disabled. This number is set to rise to at least 1 million by 2017.
Full-time carers are twice as likely to be in bad health as non-carers.
Across the UK , an estimated 2.3 million people have given up work at some point to care for older or disabled loved ones, and 3 million have cut working hours.
Carers save the Scottish economy an estimated £10.3 billion a year as they provide an average £18,473 worth of care each per year.
