Our report on caring and health finds that a widespread lack of support and recognition from health and care services is severely damaging unpaid carers’ mental health. It highlights how people caring round the clock for older, disabled or seriously ill relatives do not have adequate support from statutory services that are in place to help them – leaving many steeped in thoughts of hopelessness, fear, and dread, and urgently in need of support.

• More than a quarter (28%) of unpaid carers are in bad or very bad mental health
• Half of unpaid carers say their physical health has suffered as a result of caring, and 23% say they have sustained injuries through caring.
• More than three-quarters (76%) of carers are worried about being able to provide care in the future
• 82% have continuous low mood, 82% have feelings of hopelessness and 73% regularly feel tearful. 

Not getting support is taking its toll on worn out unpaid carers: having to wait long periods for health treatment - or putting it off because of the demands of their caring role; being unable to rely on fragmented social care services to support with caring, and struggling financially because they cannot earn a higher income. 

This is the first in a series of reports based on data from the State of Caring 2023 survey in Wales.

Fersiwn Gymraeg Cyflwr Gofal 2023: Bydd effaith gofalu ar gyllid yng Nghymru ar gael yn fuan