Number of carers aged 80+ rises by over a third and most do a 35 hour week

The number of people aged 80 and over caring for someone else has risen by 39 per cent in the last seven years (from 301,000 to 417,000), figures released by charity Age UK reveal.

The majority of people aged 80 and over (144,000) are giving unpaid care for a family member or friend for more than 35 hours a week and are saving the Government £5.9bn a year.

A further 156,000 are caring for more than 20 hours a week and as Britain’s elderly population increases, it is estimated that there will be more than 760,000 carers aged 80+ by 2030.

The majority of these older people are looking after their partner, while a minority care for disabled sons and daughters.

One male carer in his 80s said “I still want to care for my wife and am fortunate that in spite of having suffered a bad heart attack, I can still manage to cope.

"I do get tired though, especially if I need to get up in the night and help her'.

Caroline Abrahams charity director at Age UK, said: "We owe a huge debt of gratitude to the hundreds of thousands of over-80s who are caring, many of them virtually full-time, saving the country nearly £6bn a year in the process. More of that money needs spending on supporting them, as well as the people they look after.

"Most of these wonderful older people tell us they care because they want to and are committed to, but they also often say they see no alternative. Many admit to being exhausted and worried about how long they can carry on, and the consequences if they become seriously ill themselves."

The total number of carers aged 65 and over who are providing informal care for another person has also risen from nearly 1.7m to over two million in seven years.

Ms Abrahams added "The task of providing care ought to be fairly shared between individuals, families and the state, but as public funding falls further and further behind the growing demand for care we worry that very old people are being expected to fill the gap. They can’t do it all on their own and we shouldn’t take advantage of their determination to do right by those they love."

Carers' Strategy

Community and Social Care Minister Alastair Burt launched a consultation in March on a new carers’ strategy. The consultation seeks the views of carers, families, employers, clinicians, social care professionals, educators and others about what the government should do to help carers. Alistair Burt said: “Carers make an invaluable contribution to society. I have met many brilliant carers who have told me it can be a struggle to keep all the plates spinning and make time for themselves. Through the Government’s new carers’ strategy, we want to support carers to do the best for their loved ones and have a life of their own beyond caring.”

Emily Holzhausen director of policy at Carers UK, said: "Our ageing population calls for greater investment now, from Government, social care services and the NHS to meet the increasing demand for care but also support the rapidly expanding numbers of older people who are themselves providing care. Action is urgently needed to ensure that older carers have the support they need and are not left caring alone by shrinking support services."

The views of carers and others are sought before the Government's consultation ends on 30 June. To give your view visit: https://consultations.dh.gov.uk/carers/how-can-we-improve-support-for-carers/