Carers can't afford to be ill

More than three-quarters of carers feel that their health is worse as a result of the strain of caring, according to a survey of 2,000 carers throughout the UK, published for Carers Week 2008.

The results of this survey highlight the far-reaching impact caring can have on carers' health, with more than two in three of those questioned (67%) saying there had been a number of times when they were unable to visit their GP about their own health concerns, due to time constraints and lack of flexibility to leave the house to attend appointments.

In fact over half of those questioned said they had not had a chance to discuss their concerns about their mental or physical health with anyone else - whether a friend or healthcare professional - further underlining the isolation many carers experience on a daily basis.

A widespread concern among the carers who took part was who would take over their role should they fall ill - 96% of those questioned expressed worry over this, with almost two-thirds (65%) admitting that they felt their own health problems had to some extent affected their ability to care.

Worryingly 95% of those questioned admitted covering up the fact that their health is suffering in order to continue with their caring responsibilities.

Visit the Carers Week website for more on the Carers Week 2008 survey results

Carers Week, now in its fourteenth year, is jointly organised by 10 national charities; The Princess Royal Trust for Carers, Counsel and Care, Crossroads Caring for Carers, Carers UK, Help the Hospices, Independent Age, Macmillan Cancer Support, MS Society, Neurological Alliance and WRVS.