Our daily theme for today is older carers, and a chance to focus on the inequalities they face and the need for greater support.
There are 1.3 million carers aged 65 and over in the UK, with over 600,000 caring for 50 or more hours a week. Across all ages, it is women aged between 75 and 79, and men aged between 85-89 who are most likely to provide 50 hours or more of care.
Many older carers experience isolation and poor mental and physical health. A staggering 1 in 5 older carers live in poverty, affecting both people new to caring and those who have been caring for a long time.
More must be done to combat the inequalities impacting older carers’ lives. The link here on Benefits for carers who are pension age | Carers UK might be useful