There are almost 660,000 carers in Scotland - one in eight of the population. Every day almost 500 people take on a caring responsibility - that's 178,000 people each year. Caring will be a part of almost everyone's life, with three in five of us becoming carers at some point in our lives.
With an ageing population, an estimated one million of us will look after an elderly relative, sick partner or a disabled family member by 2037.
Caring is part of life but without the right support the personal costs of caring can be high. Despite saving the Scottish economy £10.3 billion each year, many carers face poverty, poor health and disadvantage. Three quarters of carers struggle to pay utility bills, more than half are in debt, one in five have given up work to care and more than half have a long term illness or disability.
Carers Scotland is a charity set up to support people who care for an elderly relative, a sick friend or a disabled family member. Carers Scotland is the Scottish nation office of Carers UK. Carers Scotland helps carers to:
- get the best for the person they care for
- make the most of their income
- stay in paid work
- juggle their busy lives
- keep healthy
- find a listening ear
- campaign for change
To find out more or receive information and advice about your caring situation, please contact Carers Scotland at The Cottage, 21 Pearce Street, Glasgow, G51 3UT Tel: 0141 445 3070 email: info@carerscotland.org or visit www.carerscotland.org
Alternatively, contact the Carers Advice Line on freephone: 0808 808 7777 (Wednesday and Thursday 10-12 and 2-4pm)
Useful web sites
Scottish Older People's Helpline
NHS Inform
Care Information Scotland
Alzheimer Scotland
Macmillan Cancer Support
Contact a Family (for families with a disabled child)
Carewell - site to help improve the health and quality of life for carers