Providing support and care for someone who has an illness, disability, mental health condition, or addiction, either in a paid or unpaid capacity, is referred to as ‘caring’. Caring can include a range of support such as cooking and cleaning, emotional support, personal care (i.e. washing and helping to go to the toilet), medical care, acting as an advocate, and looking after finances1. Some unpaid carers may not consider themselves to be carers. In 2022, charity Carers UK estimated that the number of unpaid carers in the UK could be as high as 10.6 million2. Caring for someone can be rewarding, but it can also be mentally and physically exhausting.
The impact of caring
Caring for someone can be a full-time job and often coexists with 9-to-5 work. This does not leave much time for necessary self-care like quality sleep, cooking healthy meals, exercise, and doing the things that you enjoy. Caring can also affect other areas of life like finances, employment, and health, and leaves almost one in ten carers feeling overburdened by their caring responsibilities3.
The financial impact of caring
As the cost-of-living crisis persists, the financial burden on carers has only increased, with 44% of adults who are caring 35 hours or more a week living in poverty in 20224. Carers may feel the added financial strain of paying for extra care, medical and travel costs, and juggling work and caring. In 2022, 75% of carers in employment were worried about balancing their work and care responsibilities2. This can bring additional stress to an already stressful role.
The health impact of caring
Around 60% of carers report long-term health conditions or disabilities compared to 50% of the general population2. The long-term impact of caring can be mental and physical. It may feel difficult to switch off from thinking about the health of the person you care for, causing stress. Over time, if the stress persists, you may begin to feel overwhelmed, which can lead to feelings of anxiety and depression5. Prolonged stress can also lead to physical ailments like heart disease, diabetes, obesity, sleep problems, and more6.
How to look after yourself as a carer
When you’re focusing on taking care of someone else, it can be difficult to remember to look after yourself, but self-care is critical to staying resilient. Trying just one thing of the below may make it easier to cope with your caring responsibilities:
1. Plan your day realistically
Making a clear plan for your days can help you manage how much you’re taking on and ensure you don’t burn yourself out. Try to accept that you can’t do everything and identify what you can do. It may be helpful to make a list of the support needs of the person you are caring for and of that list what you can do and what you need help with7.
2. Reach out where you can
Caring for someone can be an isolating experience, so it’s important to have someone to talk to, especially if you’re struggling. Talk to family and friends about how you’re feeling, join a support group or carers forum, or contact the Carers UK helpline on 0808 808 77777.
3. Make time for yourself
While you may not be able to take a break every time you need one, it’s critical to your mental and physical health that you dedicate some time to yourself. This could be having a nap, turning your phone off for an agreed length of time, or even just leaving the house7.
4. Maintain an open and honest relationship with the person you care for
Whether you’re caring for someone short-term or long-term, the shift in roles can change the relationship you have with them. It can bring you closer together, making you feel a greater connection, and it can also push you apart, leading to feelings of resentment and irritation. By talking about these feelings openly and working together to maintain your relationship outside of daily responsibilities, you can strengthen the positive parts of your relationship7.
How can improved treatment options reduce the burden on carers?
Improved treatment options benefit carers by potentially lightening the symptoms of the person they are caring for. A reduction in the amount or severity of symptoms may allow the person being cared for to regain some of their independence, allowing them to perform more tasks by themselves that they may have previously required help with. For example, they may be able to perform personal care tasks like bathing or going to the toilet independently, or they may be able to resume some household tasks like cooking or doing the dishes.
Clinical trials are a critical part of improving treatment options for people with a variety of conditions. They help us to advance medicine and determine if new potential treatments are safe and effective. MAC Clinical Research has been conducting clinical trials on behalf of the pharmaceutical industry since 1988 and is leading the way in the development of pioneering new medicines for a wide range of conditions. By taking part in clinical research, you or a loved one may be able to contribute to scientific research which may lead to expansion of the treatment options for people with conditions that matter to you. To find out about the clinical trials going on near you, visit our current studies page for more information.
References
1 Mind – What is caring for someone else?
2 Carers Uk – Key facts and figures
4 Joseph Rowntree Foundation – UK Poverty 2022: The essential guide to understanding poverty in the UK
5 Mindour mental health as a carer
