Research
Carers UK research reports contain evidence of carers' experiences, statistics and policy recommendations. You can downlowad summaries of the research below.
Caring and health
In Poor Health: the impact of caring on health. (2004)
New research on the health of the nation’s six million unpaid carers. Drawn from the 2001 Census it provides a detailed analysis of the health of carers by county across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Those carers who provide high levels of care are twice as likely to suffer ill health as non-carers. Nearly 21 per cent of full-time carers say they are in poor health compared to less than 11 per cent of the non-carer population.
Hearts & Minds: the health effects of caring (2004)
New research commissioned by Carers Scotland shows that unpaid carers in Scotland experience health inequalities compared with the general population. This summary report gives details of the findings and recommends a more throughgoing approach to tackling carers' needs by those responsible for improving the nation's health.
Carers' value to society
Without Us : Calculating the value of carers' support. (2002).
Carers save the UK billions of pounds a year. This report places a monetary value on the support that carers provide, broken down for each local authority in England, Wales and Scotland, and Health and Social Services Boards in Northern Ireland.
Carers' assessments
Missed Opportunities: the impact of new rights for carers (2003).
Carers have had a legal right to an assessment since 1996. This report looks at the impact of legislation on carers' lives and what needs to change.
Young carers
Young Carers in the UK: the 2004 Report
Third national survey of young carers who are being supported by specialist young carers projects in the UK.
Young Carers and Education (2003).
This report by Loughborough University draws on existing research on the subject of children under 16 with caring responsibilities. The report concludes that taking on the caring role can be a major barrier to a child's education.
Carers and employment
Redressing the Balance: inclusion, competitiveness and choice (2001) by Marilyn Howard.
This report looks at the current body of evidence on carers and work, examines the barriers to employment for carers and suggests ways in which bridges could be built to help carers back towards paid work.
Carer involvement
Adding Value: Carers as Drivers of Social Change (2002).
This report is the first to examine the role of carers as drivers of change. It reveals the extent to which carers become involved with local health and social care organisations and their contribution to supporting disabled people and other carers through the voluntary sector.
Demographics
It Could Be You: A Report on the Chances of Becoming a Carer (2001) by Mike George.
What are the chances of becoming a carer? What factors influence the likelihood of caring? What impact does caring have on people's lives? What are the projections for the number of carers in the future? This report will give you the answers.
Coming out of hospital
You Can Take Him Home Now: Carers' Experiences of Hospital Discharge (2001).
Government policy states that carers should be involved in hospital discharge arrangements. But is it working in practice? This report examines carers' experiences of hospital discharge and whether they have changed since 1998.
Health's Forgotten Partners: How Carers are Supported Through Hospital Discharge (2001).
Looking at 23 NHS Trusts this report examines their policy and the extent to which they are following government guidelines and addressing the issues highlighted in You can take him home now.
Page Last Modified: 07/05/2008
print this page
