Unpaid care disproportionately affects low-income households across Europe

Unpaid care has a huge impact on mental health and is more likely to be provided by people from low-income households, a landmark across Europe shows study by researchers at UCL and St George’s, University of London. The Eurocare study examined unpaid care provided by people of all ages across Europe.

The researchers found that about 1 in 10 people aged 15 to 29 in Europe are caregivers. More than a quarter (27%) of these young adult caregivers come from households that rank fifth in terms of income.

Participants’ mental health was also found to deteriorate after becoming carers and the impact of this increased as they spent more hours caring, demonstrating the urgent need for early identification and intervention to support them.

For example, those who provide more than 20 hours of unpaid care per week are over 96% more likely to report poor mental health than their peers.

The education and future employment of young adult caregivers are also affected, and there are large differences in educational attainment across the UK. Young adult caregivers are 38% less likely than their peers to obtain a college degree as their highest qualification. This rises to as much as 86% for those who provide more than 35 hours of care per week.

Coordinator of the Eurocare project, Professor Anne McMunn (UCL Epidemiology & Public Health), said: “Our collaboration with Caregivers Trust has been crucial to the research for this project and has informed the entire process, from formulating research questions to interpreting and sharing results Healthcare providers play a crucial role in our society and need our support to stay healthy. We hope that these reports will give impetus to improving that support.

For people aged 30 to 49 in Britain, unpaid care is also linked to worsening mental health, and the effects persist years after care begins. The research shows that the impact is greater for women than for men.

Caregivers in this age category are also more likely to come from disadvantaged households. Of those in the bottom two-fifths of the population in terms of household income, 17% were caregivers. This compared to just 12% of those in the richest fifth of the population. The researchers concluded that support should be increased with financial assistance programs, tax credits for caregivers, and social safety nets for low-income caregivers.

The study also showed that older informal caregivers report loneliness more often. It recommended more support for their mental health and wellbeing, including access to counseling services, community engagement, social support networks and mental health screening programmes.

Dr. Rebecca Lacey from St George’s, University of London, said: “Our research shows the significant impact that being a young adult caregiver can have on a young person’s life. Many caregiver organizations and charities recognize the inequalities that young adult caregivers face, but through this research we have helped prove and quantify that difference.

“It’s an unfortunately significant gap, especially for young adult caregivers who provide significant hours of care. We really hope this will pave the way for better support for young adult caregivers.”

Rohati Chapman, Caregivers Trust’s executive director for programmes, policy and impact, said: “This vital research shows the significant impact that not supporting unpaid carers has across Europe. From young people seeing their future prospects deteriorate to the increasingly mental health and finances across Europe For all ages, the price paid for unpaid care is high.

“People shouldn’t be forced to sacrifice their own health and well-being just because they are trying to do the right thing by caring for family and friends, but that is the situation millions of caregivers face.

“Caregivers Trust will use this valuable evidence to support our work supporting carers through our network of local organisations. But what Britain’s 7 million caregivers urgently need is a national, cross-government strategy for caregivers that focuses on identifying and supporting them well throughout their lives. .”