by Lorraine Gibson.
Statistics are all very well, but they can screen the bigger story.
Recent Census data shows fewer people in Dorset caring for someone – however more are caring for 50-plus hours a week.
The 2021 data says the number of unpaid carers in Dorset has fallen between 2011 and 2021, from 11.9% to 9.7% of the population.
Yet, of the 35,498 people caring for a family member, friend or neighbour, the number providing significant free care – ie more than 20 hours a week – has increased.
Knowing how many people carry out the loving and dutiful unpaid care so often unseen is vital, but it’s the number of hours they spend doing it that reveal the real story.
This is important, since studies show that an intensive caring role can be detrimental one’s health, wellbeing, and ability to work.
Eliza Atyeo of Verwood, pictured, cared for her dad, following his diagnosis of cancer, until he died last September. She works for BCP Council as carers commissioning officer.
“Many people take on a caring role as it is considered ‘something you just do’ as opposed to a formal role. Many fail to identify and recognise that they are unpaid carers, meaning they struggle along without support.
“My father’s decline was fast. My sadness comes when I think that for so long I went without any formal help, because I believed I should be able to manage.
“I recognise the challenges… highlighted by the census, particularly anxiety, a lack of social life, pressures of rising costs, financial and legal challenges, the list goes on. But I am proud that from diagnosis to death I was my dad’s carer.”
Of the drop in carer numbers, the Office for National Statistics has said they may have fallen because of how the question was framed. That, and the fact the Census was carried out during the Covid pandemic, when households couldn’t mix and some people were unable to carry out caring duties.
Sadly, a higher number of deaths among elderly people, resulting in less need for care, also comes into play.
Carer Support Dorset offers support to unpaid carers and Leanne Hubbard, Interim CEO of the charity says: “The wording of the question will likely have had an impact – in 2011 people were asked if they look after, or help or support family members, friends, neighbours and others. In 2021 they were asked if they look after, or help or support anyone because they have a long-term physical condition or illness, or problem related to old age.
“We were less surprised that the number of people providing large amounts of care to someone has increased so dramatically. This tallies with what we are hearing from carers. Providing more than 20 hours of care every week, often alongside work and other family commitments, takes its toll, especially since the Pandemic and with the increased pressures on the NHS and social services. Respite is vital to allow carers to have a break.
“People providing 50 or more hours of care a week has risen significantly in Dorset since 2011. We know this sort of intensive caring role is a lot of responsibility and it’s often logistically very difficult to take the holidays and time out that most of us take for granted.
“We encourage all unpaid carers to register with us to find out what help we can offer.”
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