Caring Behind Closed Doors: Six Months On
The report by Carers UK looks at the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on unpaid carers, and is based on the experiences of over 5,900 current and former carers. The report reveals that the majority of carers are desperately worried about how they will continue to care safely through the coming winter, with many continuing to provide extraordinary hours of care for loved ones with increasing needs, without the usual help from family and friends, and with limited or no support from local services.
- 4 in 5 unpaid carers (81%) are currently providing more care than before lockdown
- More than three quarters (78%) of carers reported that the needs of the person they care for have increased recently
- Most carers (64%) have not been able to take any breaks at all in the last six months
- More than half (58%) of carers have seen their physical health impacted by caring through the pandemic, while 64% said their mental health has worsened