State of Caring Carers UK State of Caring 2017 Report | Page 10

STATE OF CARING REPORT 2017
Those spending 50 hours or more a week caring were most
likely to report they had not had a day off from caring for
over a year, with nearly half of people (47%) saying this,
while 9 out of 10 (90%) of those caring for a disabled child
said they had not had a full week off for over a year. People
in paid work and those providing palliative care were more
likely to have had a day off from caring within the last year
than other groups (71% and 70% respectively). They were
also more likely to report having had one day off in the last
week, with a fifth of people in both groups stating this (21%).
The effect of not having a rest from caring is shattering, with
carers describing being close to breaking point, desperate
for some time to themselves, to sleep, recuperate, and see
friends and family. Carers who reported not having had
a break from caring within the last year, were also more
likely to report having suffered mental ill health as a result
of caring or that their physical health has worsened as a
result of caring, with 73% and 64% stating this respectively,
compared to 70% and 61% for all groups.
Barriers to getting a break
For those struggling to get a break from caring, the most
common reasons that people gave were the costs of paying
for or contributing to the cost of a break, or that the person
they care for isn’t willing to accept care and support from
others, which 3 out of 10 people reported for each (31%).
People caring for a disabled child were more likely to report
that the costs of a break was a barrier (36%), while older
people were the least likely group to report cost as an
issue (21%).
Other common reasons for struggling to get a break across
all groups included that the care needed for the person who
is supported is not on offer (27%), not being confident in
the quality of care available (19%), and not knowing how to
get one (16%). For those who said that the care they need
in order to take a break is not on offer, a lack of specialist
support needed by the person they care for not being
accessible was the most common reason.
People providing palliative care were most likely to report
that the care needed for the person they support is not on
offer, with almost a half of people in this group stating this
(44%). They were also the most likely to say they weren’t
confident in the quality of care available (33%) and that they
didn’t know how to get a break (23%). Those caring for a
child with disabilities were also more likely to struggle to find
support services on offer for the person they care for with 1
in 4 (39%) reporting this.
Troublingly, only 13% of all groups said that they haven’t
struggled to access a break from caring.
10
I rarely get to see friends or even have
an hour off let alone anything more
It would cause considerable distress to
my husband if he was put into respite
even for a short break
I would never dare to take a break
away from caring as the standard
of care can not be relied upon. The
potential risk to the life of the person I
care for is too scary to contemplate
I have tried and tried. I’ve not had
respite since my son was 18, he is 25
this year. Social services tell me there
aren’t suitable places for him
The level of care needed is much more
than the care package provides
I get regular breaks every month from
my caring role, that helps me to go on
providing the care that is needed for
my son