Carers Trust article, 7 Feb 2017: No such thing as retirement for older carers, says new Carers Trust report

Older carers say they are now doing the hardest job they have ever done, with no option to ring in sick if they are not well. Just when older carers thought it was time to put up their feet and retire, many of the older generation are finding that there is no such thing as retirement.

Instead of retiring, they have become or will remain lifelong unpaid carers for their sick or disabled partner or adult children.

The Carers Trust have launched “Retirement on Hold”, a new report which highlights some of the challenges the older population are facing.

The report gives a snapshot of the battles some older people are now fighting, including caring for someone else when they have their own age-related illnesses.

Many carers aren’t prepared for caring and are struggling to find their way around the social care system, and some say by the time they’ve received vital information it is too late. They say the burden of caring has resulted in them being exhausted, frustrated and becoming sick themselves.