Published at 15:12, Thursday, 21 February 2013

NEW Carers Scotland research has found widespread anxiety, shared by young and old, over the cost of caring for older, ill and disabled relatives.

Coverage of UK government announcements has focused attention on the costs of residential social care for older people but we must not forget the millions who care and will care in the future, unpaid-for friends and relatives in their own homes and communities.

With an ageing population and people living longer with serious illness and disability, caring for a loved one is increasingly a reality for families. There are more than 660,000 carers in Scotland, with one million expected by 2037.

A Carers Scotland & Carers UK/YouGov poll of UK adults shows two thirds of the Scottish population would be worried about the financial impact of giving full-time care.

Already, we know the financial support for people looking after loved ones isn’t enough to stop families falling into debt and financial hardship. Carers also face a blizzard of cuts and changes to the benefits system.

Carers Scotland and Carers UK have launched a Caring & Family Finances Inquiry to provide a definitive analysis of the financial impact of caring. We are also looking at the wider impact of caring on family life through our State of Caring survey. If your readers are caring for older, sick or disabled loved ones, we want to know how it has financially affected them. Please complete our survey at www.carerscotland.org

Simon Hodgson

Director, Carers Scotland

Carers Scotland

The Cottage 21 Pearce StreetGlasgow

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