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Carers

Summary Points

The 2001 Census estimated that approximately 12.6% of the population of Merthyr Tydfil provide care to a family member, friend or neighbour - a total of 7,042 persons. This is above the Wales average of approx 10%

Within Merthyr Tydfil:

  • 3,785       persons provided 1-19 hours care a week
  • 1,098       persons provided 20-49 hours care a week
  • 2,159       persons provided 50 or more hours care a week

 

Carers

A carer is someone who provides regular and substantial unpaid practical or emotional support for a relative, friend or neighbour who is ill, frail or has a disability or mental health need.   A carer can be of any age.  You could be an adult, an older person or a child.  As a carer you do not have to be living with the person you are caring for.   Caring for someone can be a very rewarding experience but it can also be demanding, stressful and tiring. 

It is estimated that there are over 90,000 carers in Wales caring for more than 50 hours each week. These carers often provide care 24 hours a day, seven days a week and put their own lives on hold to support the person they look after. Carers give so much to society, yet as a consequence of caring can experience ill health, poverty and discrimination.

In a report of the Institute of Actuaries (1995) "Taking care of carers" it was estimated that carers save the government £34 billion per annum. This was based on the number of carers identified in the 1990 General Household Survey.

This figure increased following the 1995 General Household Survey which estimated that 16% of the population are carers. The estimated figure has now risen to £57 billion in the UK. This equates to £3.5 billion in Wales. This is a saving of an estimated £64.9 million in Merthyr Tydfil.

Provision of Unpaid Care

The 2001 Census asked the resident population if they provided any unpaid care, and if so, how many hours a week they provide that care. A person is a provider of unpaid care if they give any help or support to family members, friends, neighbours or others because of long-term physical or mental health or disability, or problems related to old age. Please note that there is no specific reference to whether this care is provided within the household or outside the household. Therefore, no explicit link can be created to infer that an individual providing care is providing it to a person within the household who has poor general health, a limiting long-term illness, disability or health problem.

Within Merthyr Tydfil:

The 2001 Census estimated that approximately 12.6% of the population of Merthyr Tydfil provide care to a family member, friend or neighbour - a total of 7,042 persons. This is above the Wales average of approx 10%

  • 3,785       persons provided 1-19 hours care a week
  • 1,098       persons provided 20-49 hours care a week
  • 2,159       persons provided 50 or more hours care a week

 

Merthyr Tydfil Carers Strategy

The Carers Strategy for Merthyr Tydfil was launched in June 2005. The strategy sets out the direction for the on-going improvement in the quality of carer’s lives.  This will be achieved by improving people’s understanding of carer issues and ensuring their needs and aspirations are acted upon, plus incorporating carers perspective within any future strategies, plans and provisions of future service development.

 

 

 

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