Carers under pressure

More than a third of people who care for an elderly relative, including increasing numbers of men, have a full-time job.

Research by Help The Aged warned that ignoring working carers could have significant economic consequences. Employee-carers reported taking an average 3.8 days in the last six months off because of their responsibilities.

The study suggests that lower productivity, higher absence rates and increased staff turnover are a consequence of ignoring the needs of working carers and urged employers to see the issue as being as as significant as child-care.