Unpaid carers are feeling ‘overwhelmed’ and say they need more support from local authorities, a survey by a carers charity has revealed.
The latest State of Caring Survey by Carers UK found that 57% of people looking after disabled, older or ill relatives feel overwhelmed ‘often’ or ‘always’.
Nearly two thirds (65%) feel overwhelmed because they haven’t been able to take a break and 55% say they need more recognition of their needs from councils.
Under the Care Act 2014, carers are entitled to have a Carer’s Assessment by their local council, offering an opportunity to discuss support.
However, only 23% have completed an assessment in the last 12 months, according to the survey, and 42% of these say their local authority has not supported them following this.
Almost half (47%) say the assessment?identified areas where they need more support, but this has not yet been provided.
