Many people across Oxfordshire may be unaware they’re unpaid carers
Research from Carers UK said half of UK adults are unaware they provide unpaid care as they believe it’s part of family life.
Last updated 4th Sep 2024
Half of adults in the UK do not realise that they may be an unpaid carer as they believe that it’s part of family life, according to Carers UK.
The research found that around 50% of UK adults do not view tasks such as food preparation, cooking, assisting with toileting, or helping someone shower as acts of care.
In Oxfordshire there are over 52,000 unpaid carers alongside a national average of 120,000 people becoming per day, according to Carers Oxfordshire.
One of the biggest obstacles for people recognising themselves as an unpaid carer is the belief that caregiving is simply part and parcel of family life.
Juliet Cocks is the head of service at Carers Oxfordshire, she said: “It’s difficult for people to differentiate between the role of carer as separate from the relationship they have for the person they care for.
“Many people say to us ‘well it’s just part of normal life, I love the person that I care for an of course I’m going to do just that’.”
Carers UK said a lack of realisation is one of the biggest obstacles to carers accessing the support that is available.
Juliet tells us who can qualify as an unpaid carer, she said: “An unpaid carer is someone who looks after a family member or a friend who needs help.
“It could be because of a disability, long-term health condition, illness or addition and that person cannot help without their support.
“The care they give is unpaid and the person they care for could be a child or an adult and they don’t need to live with the person.
“It could include tasks such as getting out of bed, personal care, or emotional support. They could be helping with paperwork or finances, supporting someone after they come out of hospital, or helping people take medication and attend appointments.
“It’s so varied and very much depends on what’s going on in the home or outside.”
She also told us about some advice for anyone that’s an unpaid carer, she said: “You’re not alone. Lots of other people in Oxfordshire will be experiencing very similar issues, so ask for help, support and realise that you’re not on your own.”