Half of Yorkshire people have no plans to look after their parents

MANY YORKSHIRE people have failed to make plans to look after their parents when they are no longer capable of living independently, according to new research data.

Nearly half of survey respondents from Yorkshire and the Humber (49%) admitted to having no plan for looking after an elderly relative in their later years.

The data, gathered from 1,000 UK residents by the annexe builder iHus, which is headquartered in Bircotes, Doncaster, suggests that many Yorkshire residents need to pay greater attention to the possible costs associated with caring for elderly parents.

The figure in Yorkshire is more than double the amount in Northern Ireland (22%) and far in excess of findings recorded in regions such as London (31%) and the North East (33%).

More than half of respondents from Yorkshire (53%) said they are concerned about the level of support available, while 47% are worried about cost.

Over a quarter (26%) said they would prefer to provide care closer to home, either through converting space in their existing house or by building an annexe, compared to just 14% who still favour moving parents into a care home.

iHus chief executive officer Trevor Smeaton said: “With so many pressures on people through rising costs of care and living, it’s fascinating to see how trends, habits and preferences are changing, particularly here in Yorkshire.

“Yorkshire folk are renowned for their honesty – and having honest and realistic conversations with loved ones to put a plan in place will help to ensure our family members receive the best care possible.”

Recent evidence presented to the House of Lords also concluded that older people without children feel “invisible” in society and fear for their future.

There is still “considerable prejudice” around not having children, on top of a general stigma around getting older, according to Kirsty Woodard, the founder and director of Ageing Without Children (Awoc).

According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), high levels of childlessness among baby boomers and increased life expectancy means there will be many older people in the future without adult children.

This is likely to increase demand for formal social care, as adult children are the most common providers of informal care to ageing parents.