The experiences of adult unpaid carers in Bexley

This report presents the findings of a broad study into the experiences of 115 Bexley residents, over the age of 18, who undertake a caring role for friends or family. Healthwatch visited many different adult carer’s groups to engage with carers and distribute a questionnaire. As a result, those who told us of their experiences were carers for a number of reasons such as mental and physical disability and illness, and throughout different life stages, such as parents caring for an adult child with Autism, parents caring for a disabled child, or an elderly man caring for his wife with Dementia.

Visits were made to local charities, community groups and carer support groups and those attending were given the opportunity to complete a questionnaire about their experiences and views of being a carer. The questionnaire was also promoted on Social Media, ie Facebook, Twitter and Healthwatch Bexley website, all of which provided a link to an online questionnaire.

The key findings included:85% of respondents care for 50+ hours a week or all day and night. 29% of respondents care for two or more people. 46% have been a carer for 11 years or more. 81% expect to be a carer until they or the person they care for dies or goes into a home. The majority of respondents said caring affected or sometimes affected their physical and emotion health and wellbeing, social life, finances, ability to work, relationships and friendships. 49% of respondents consider themselves to have a disability or long term health condition or illness. 70% know where to get help and support. 61% do not feel supported to plan for the future and only 25% have a plan in place for an emergency. 95% worry or sometimes worry about the future. 24% of respondents have had a carer’s assessment.

The report contains 7 recommendations in relation to identifications of hidden carers, detailed planning for crisis prevention, assessments and service options.