Carers Rights Day 2023

Carers Rights Day 2023: Empowering unpaid family carers

Carers Rights Day is an annual event dedicated to recognising and advocating for the rights and challenges of unpaid family carers. This day, organised by Carers UK, a leading charity that supports unpaid carers, has gained prominence over the years, with a specific theme each year. In 2023, the theme is "Planning for your Future," focusing on providing essential resources regarding Wills, emergency planning, and life after caregiving.

Carers Rights Day, an important event on the UK's calendar, is designed to raise awareness of the rights and needs of unpaid family carers. Established by Carers UK, this day has evolved into a nationally recognised occasion. This blog will delve into the various aspects of Carers Rights Day 2023, covering the theme, key definitions, significant facts, statistics, and available resources.

Theme for 2023: "Planning for your Future"

The theme for Carers Rights Day 2023 is "Planning for your Future." This theme underscores the importance of equipping unpaid family carers with vital information about three key elements.

Wills

Supporting carers in creating legally binding wills to ensure the appropriate distribution of their assets. Wills offer a means for carers to provide for their loved ones financially, even after they can no longer provide care.

Emergency planning

Stressing the significance of emergency planning to guarantee continuous care in unforeseen circumstances, such as illness or accidents. An emergency plan ensures the well-being of the care recipient.

Life after caring

Carers Rights Day 2023 aims to assist carers in planning for a future beyond their caregiving role, addressing this transition's emotional and practical aspects.

Key definitions

Before we proceed, let's clarify a few fundamental terms:

• Unpaid family carers - Individuals who provide care, assistance, or support to a family member or friend facing mental or physical illness, disability, addiction, or requiring additional support due to ageing. They perform these duties without financial compensation, rendering them unpaid carers.
• Wills - Legal documents outlining the distribution of a person's assets, properties, and belongings after their passing. It will provide a means for carers to secure the financial future of their loved ones and ensure their wishes are respected.
• Emergency planning - Establishing a contingency plan for caregiving in case the primary carer becomes unavailable due to unforeseen events.

Key facts and statistics

Now, let's delve into essential facts and statistics Carers UK provides.

• There are approximately 5 million unpaid carers in England and Wales and around 5.7 million in the UK, including Scotland and Northern Ireland.
• 4.7% of the population in England and Wales provide 20 or more hours of care each week.
• Over the decade from 2010 to 2020, 4.3 million individuals became unpaid carers each year, or 12,000 people per day.
• 59% of unpaid carers are women, and women are more likely to become carers and provide more hours of care than men.
• One in seven individuals in the UK's workforce juggles work with caregiving, with the largest group of new carers falling within the age range of 46-65.
• Carers are under financial pressure, with 25% cutting back on essentials and 63% worried about monthly costs. 44% of working-age adults providing 35 or more hours of care each week are living in poverty.
• Carer's allowance is the primary benefit for carers, amounting to £76.75 per week. In 2022, 977,506 carers were receiving Carer’s Allowance.
• Providing care can impact health and well-being, with 60% of carers reporting a long-term health condition or disability and 29% feeling lonely often or always.
• 1 in 3 NHS staff provide unpaid care, and over 1.9 million people in paid employment transitioned into unpaid caregiving roles each year between 2010 and 2020.
• Unpaid carers contribute £445 million to the economy daily, or £162 billion annually, equivalent to a second NHS in England and Wales.

Conclusion

Carers Rights Day 2023 serves as a critical platform for recognising the rights and requirements of unpaid family carers. The theme of "Planning for your Future" emphasises will, emergency planning, and life after caregiving, enabling carers to prepare for their future effectively.

As we reflect on the significance of this day, let us remember that caregiving is a universal concern. While we celebrate Carers Rights Day in the UK, the need to support carers is a global issue.

For more detailed information and resources, please visit the Carers UK website.

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