Women over 50 increasingly forced into role as unpaid carer for parents

Women aged 50 can expect to spend six of their remaining years acting as an unpaid carer, Office for National Statistics (ONS) statistics show.

An ageing population means an increasing amount of people are acting as unpaid carers, the analysis says.

The figures show that women take on most of the responsibility, with men aged 50 predicted to spend five of their remaining years of life caring for others. However, at age 65 both age groups can expect to spend just over two and a half years providing care.

The report stated: “Women over 50 (regardless of whether they were a carer or not), spent on average one minute and 15 seconds actively caring for someone each day. Men of the same age spent just 45 seconds on average each day.”

Many over-50s are caring for their parents who are more likely to live longer and need long-term care for conditions such as dementia.

According to the 2011 census, 5.8million people, or more than 10 per cent of the population, provided unpaid care in England and Wales, an increase of 600,000 since 2001. One in five was aged over 65. The largest growth was in those who carried out 50 or more hours per week.

Analysis by the ONS has also found that an increasing number of unpaid carers are women aged over 50. In 2011, 36 per cent of carers provided 20 hours of care or more per week, an increase from 31 per cent in 2001.

A separate report from the charity Carers UK warns that unpaid carers are more likely to suffer from health problems and have to retire early. It found almost a third of long-term carers have not had a day off in five years.

Helena Herklots, chief executive of the charity, 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 the time they need to themselves.”