Unpaid carers struggling to cope with spiraling cost-of-living, survey finds
One in four unpaid carers are cutting back on essentials like food and heating
A charity for unpaid carers has said people providing unpaid care for sick or disabled family members or friends in Northern Ireland are struggling to afford essentials like food and heating.
Carers NI has also said people and families are also taking on debt as the cost-of-living crisis grows, according to new research.
A new survey of over 1,600 unpaid carers in NI found that 23% have cut back on essentials like food and heating to help them cope with rising prices – more than double the proportion doing so last year.
Meanwhile, nearly one in five (19%) are having to use credit cards to get by and 16% have experienced debt.
Overall, 27% of unpaid carers told the survey they were struggling to make ends meet, with 67% saying the increase in the cost of living is having a negative impact on their mental or physical health.
Donna Dugan lives in Carrowdore, County Down, and cares for her 87-year-old mother, who is living with dementia.
She works full time which she must do as they could not manage to pay their bills otherwise.
She said: “I constantly worry about how we will manage, especially as her condition progresses.
“Our oil bill is already £400 more expensive than usual. I know our time together is limited and want to make it the best that I can.
“Things we took for granted last year just can’t happen anymore. It’s the additional worry on top of caring and holding down a job. We have no choice and just get on with it.”
Craig Harrison, Policy and Public Affairs Manager for Carers NI said the cost-of-living crisis is having a “devastating impact” on NI’s unpaid carers.
He said: “They are being forced into dangerous and unsustainable choices to get by month-to-month, and their cries for help have, so far, largely gone unanswered.
“The only way through this cost-of-living crisis is a robust response from a restored Executive.
“We’ve been told repeatedly to wait for solutions from Westminster, but they haven’t cut it so far, and while the Stormont institutions remain in a deep freeze, unpaid carers are quite literally freezing in their homes.
“How long will that suffering be allowed to continue before action is taken to give our carers the support they need?”
“The survey also found that fewer than one in three carers in Northern Ireland (30%) can afford their bills without struggling financially, less than half the proportion in 2021 (62%).”
A Department of Health Spokesperson said it recognises that unpaid carers are a lifeline for those that they care for and added that the health service could not survive without them.
The spokesperson added: “The Support for Carers’ Fund launched last year, is actively providing assistance and support for carers on the ground, with funding of approximately £2.5m awarded to date.
“The Department has recently concluded a public consultation on proposals to Reform the Adult Social Care system in Northern Ireland.
“A central priority of these plans is support for family and unpaid carers and the consultation outlined a number of proposals to improve the support available.”
“The Department remains committed to supporting carers and seeking to find additional ways to provide support where we can, and where pressures allow.
“The Health Minister has been clear that he is very mindful of the cost-of-living pressures across the wider community and that a sustained and funded cross-Departmental approach is the best way to address cost of living issues and provide citizens with the support they need.”
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