Press

More than 1 million people who are caring for children and older relatives are at a significantly higher risk of mental health problems and more likely to be struggling for money than the general population, official data has revealed.

The “sandwich generation” who find themselves squeezed between older and younger dependents account for 1.3 million people, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). It found the more care people give to both older and younger relatives simultaneously, the more likely they are to report symptoms of mental ill health.

Microsoft has upped the ante on its already-enviable employee benefits package by adding paid leave for employees who need to take care of an ailing family member. According to recent research from the Northeast Business Group on Health and AARP, caregiving is among the top 10 employee health and wellness benefits priorities for employers, and most employers agree that in the next five years, caregiving is going to become an increasingly important issue among employees.

The stress of caring for elderly relatives is being recognised, but more can be done

Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany has launched Embracing Carers, a global initiative to recognize and raise awareness of the crucial role of unpaid caregivers.

• New findings address the emotional, financial and health implications of being an unpaid caregiver
• 42% of unpaid caregivers surveyed report putting the health of the person they are caring for above their own; more than half report their physical health has suffered
• Leading organizations come together to raise caregiver challenges as a public health priority

Legal & General is championing for change after learning the UK's informal carers are contributing the equivalent of billions of pounds to meet the care needs of relatives and friends.

"Caregivers are so overwhelmed by the demands of managing basic needs that they tend to only think of technology as tools to save time or provide safety," said Bill Novelli, founder of the Global Social Enterprise Initiative and Georgetown McDonough distinguished professor of the practice.

The Right Care, Right Deal coalition combines three of the UK's largest charities working with older people, their families and carers (Counsel and Care, Carers UK and Help the Aged) to urge the Government to renew its vision for the future of social care in England. (See Related Link for the consultation document: The case for change: why England needs a new care and support system, 2008). This campaign document outlines the main issues needed to be tackled in order for there to be 'a new, personalised and better funded deal for social care, fit for the 21st Century'.

Previous studies have shown that caregivers spend on average 4.5 years caregiving, with the needs escalating over time, thus impacting caregiver health significantly over that period (Caregiving in theU.S., AARP and National Alliance for Caregiving). The Evercare study revealed that the more time caregivers spend caring for a loved one, the greater their health decline. This is even more true for those caregivers providing a higher level intensity of caregiving such as giving medications or injections, bathing, feeding, dressing or other activities of daily living.