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Older carers: Invisible but Invaluable

Two older carers from Oxfordshire standing with Age UK Chief Executive Tom Wright CBE and Prime Minister David Cameron.

(Photo credit: Crown copyright)

Carers Week 2011 a huge success

Age UK was pleased to support Carers Week this year. The week was really busy.

There was a 'speed networking' event where MPs met carers such as Mrs Sayeda Khalique. Sayeda is 60-years-old and cares for her 73-year-old husband who has Vascular Dementia. She described her experience of being a carer and the support she needs.

A contingent from Age UK attended a reception held by the Prime Minister at 10 Downing Street. Joyce Nicolson and John Broderick from Oxfordshire and Margaret Dragmoor from Richmond took the opportunity to share their personal experiences of being carers and their views on support services with a number of MPs and the Prime Minister.

Many local partners also participated in Carers Week often in partnership with other carers' organisations. For example, Age UK Leeds had a packed week of activity including showing the Invisible but Invaluable exhibition in Leeds Civic Hall and a day trip for 44 carers to Bridlington. The highlight of the week was a record-breaking hugathon at Leeds City Museum. The public was invited to support the 70,000 carers in Leeds by donating a £1 as a virtual hug for carers.

We are campaigning to raise the profile of older carers

We've heard from many people in later life who are caring for a spouse, partner, relative or friend. They tell us they feel undervalued and ignored.

  • There are 2.8 million people 50 and over providing unpaid care in the UK, including 5% of people 85 and over.
  • A quarter of all carers 75 and over provide 50 or more hours of informal care each week.
  • Carers save the UK economy an estimated £87 billion a year.

Invisible but Invaluable

Our 'Invisible but Invaluable' campaign is calling for financial, emotional and practical support for older carers.

The campaign launched with a photographic exhibition. One of the displays at this is hundreds of individual cards completed by older carers detailing their experiences of caring, and their thoughts on what things would help them to look after their loved ones and to improve their own quality of life.

What we are doing

opens link in new window Download our 'Invisible but Invaluable' report (PDF, 1MB)

We want the government to:

  • Introduce a Carer’s Allowance for pensioners.
  • Simplify applying for Carer’s Allowance and related benefits.
  • Give us a statutory entitlement to the support we need to have a good quality of life, to protect our health, and to reduce our isolation.
  • Honour funding already agreed and ensure it is really used to support us.

We want the NHS and health professionals to:

  • Let us know that we can register as carers with our GP and have regular health checks.
  • Consult us and respect our views.
  • Find a way to identify ‘hidden’ carers and provide them with information and support.

We want local authorities to:

  • Make us aware that we have an entitlement to have our needs assessed.
  • Ensure that we have a choice of appropriate, flexible and good quality services to meet the needs of both the person we care for and ourselves.
  • Help us to get together to support one another. 
  • Consult us about services.

What you can do

Age UK is campaigning to raise the profile of older carers. Our 'Invisible but Invaluable' campaign is calling for financial, emotional and practical support for older carers:

If you are a carer, or know someone who is, we would love to hear from you. You can email your experiences to campaigns@ageuk.org.uk.

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Older people's forums

Have your say in the decisions that affect our lives, by joining an independent local forum.

By working together in local forums, we are making our voices heard on the issues that matter to us in later life, influencing the provision of services locally, regionally and nationally.

Your Age UK

Set your location to see what Age UK offers in your local area.

Call Age UK:
0800 169 8787
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Care in Crisis

We are calling on the government to reform the care system, to ensure that people in later life receive high quality care and support.

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