The carers who haven’t had a day off in five years

ALMOST a third of long-term carers have not had a day off in five years, according to a report.

Those looking after loved ones were at breaking point because of a lack of respite and support, said charity Carers UK.

Its study surveyed 3,841 people who have been caring for five years or more. Among those who have been caring for a year or more (5,168), 40 per cent have not had a day off for more than 12 months.

The study comes as figures from the Office for National Statistics show that 8 per cent of the population are informal carers. Of these, 29 per cent spend 35 hours a week or more on the task.

This is often on top of holding down a job. Half of adult carers are employed either part-time or full-time.

In the Carers UK report, 68 per cent of those who have been caring for more than a year and have not had a day off in that time say their physical health has worsened. Seventy-two per cent said their mental health has suffered.

The charity’s report, State of Caring 2017, found that carers most frequently listed access to breaks as a factor which could make a difference to their lives.

Helena Herklots of Carers UK, said: ‘Without access to breaks, carers can quickly reach breaking point, unable to look after their own health, nurture relationships with friends and family or have time to themselves.’