Age Cymru are supporting Carers Week 9-15 June

"We're proud to support Carers Week here in Wales"

Carers Week is a UK-wide annual awareness campaign, aiming to improve the lives of carers and the people they care for.

An ICM Poll commissioned by Age Cymru found that 66% of over 50s in Wales regularly undertake caring duties, and 34% of these carers have health conditions which make it difficult for them to undertake their caring responsibilities (this figure increases with age).

Graeme Francis, Head of Policy and Public Affairs at Age Cymru says;

"We're proud to support Carers Week here in Wales.

"Unpaid carers currently provide 96% of community care in Wales - the majority of whom are aged over 50.

"Without this care, many older people would be left isolated with little or no support, and pressures on state care provision would significantly increase.

"Older carers in particular represent a group with specific needs that are not necessarily met by present service provision.

"Unpaid carers are effectively propping up our current care system and it is essential that they are given the support they need to enable them to continue caring and maintain an acceptable quality of life.

"We believe that the Welsh Government should introduce a minimum entitlement to respite or replacement care to ensure all carers in Wales have regular breaks which enable them to continue caring."

Pledge your support to Carers Week by becoming part of their quest by holding a local support group or an information day in your local community.

For more information about Carers Week please visit  Carers Week