Carers in Wales urge employers for more support

New research shows children who look after their parents are having to go into early retirement because of a lack of jobs flexible enough to support their caring responsibilities.

After 30 years working, Lisa retired early at 55 to care for her father, now 87, who has dementia and lives with her in Swansea.

At the same time, she travels regularly across the country to Essex, where her mother, blind and also in her 80s, lives alone.

Lisa says she has found it impossible to re-enter the workforce because of a lack of jobs flexible enough to support her caring responsibilities.

When asked what it's like trying to get back into the workplace- Lisa said:

"It was one of the biggest things that I had to look at in terms of caring because both my parents had, complex health needs.

There were lots of, hospitalizations for the two of them sometimes at the same time, having to rush back and forth between essentially two countries to do hospital visits

"I was working in retail at the time, but I had to quickly give that give that up.

"There was no way that I could get the flexibility from my employer to have so much time off."

"It's just not possible", says Lisa, a carer from Swansea

According to research by Dr Jackie Gray, founder of Carents:

• According to research by Dr Jackie Gray, founder of Carents, 70% of their members have changed their working life to care for a parent

• 53% later regretted retiring or switching jobs

• 400,000 UK workers are estimated to retire early every year to care for parents

• 44% of employers say losing these staff had a negative impact on their business

After caring for her parents for the last 4 years, Lisa says she's actively trying to get some part-time work.

"I have got a background in local government, marketing, event management, and project management, photography, but even then, I couldn't be relied on to do what I was going to do.

"One of my parents would have a health issue, so I'd have to rush off.

"So I had very little choice but to access my pension fund early, which has completely changed my life plans."

"Obviously they an employer need people they can rely on, I completely understand.

"The business needs to continue.

"But if I can't give that level of time off an employer, then it's really hard for me to try and find a job, suited to my skills."

Lisa and Dr Gray are now calling on Welsh employers to rethink flexibility and support for elder carers.