New research* has revealed employees across the UK juggling childcare and eldercare are being left out of pocket by an average of £217 each month – and £2,613 per year.

Research* into the cost of care in 2024 has found the average sandwich carer in the UK is out of pocket by £2,613 a year due to the rising costs of caring – even with the additional benefit of receiving Carer’s Allowance. This includes expenses like travel, household bills, and any equipment needed, which can quickly add up and take its toll, both financially and emotionally, especially during the current recession.

Limited financial support amidst a cost-of-living crisis has led to a surge in unpaid carers seeking online support. In the past three months, there has been a 24% increase in online searches for ‘feeling trapped caring for elderly parent’.

With the Carer’s Leave Act rolling out on 6th April 2024, requiring businesses to give a week off without pay each year for caregiving duties, it’s clear that many informal carers are still feeling the financial squeeze.

It is estimated that more than two million carers in the workplace will be able to take one week of unpaid leave per year through the new Carer’s Leave Act, but this will be at the discretion of their employer.

From 6th April, all UK employers must offer their employees up to one week of unpaid leave per year. The employee can then spend this week providing or arranging care for a dependent (such as an older relative) with a long-term care need.

This new legislation will allow carers to take time off work to manage care responsibilities, but Lottie’s Co-Founder, Will Donnelly, is urging the government to offer further guidance and support for carers across the UK:

Will Donnelly, Co-Founder of Lottie and Seniorcare By Lottie, shares, “The Carer’s Leave Act should only be the first step in giving informal carers across the country the recognition and support they need. With an ageing population, access to appropriate eldercare is one of the biggest challenges we’re facing as a society.

It’s estimated that 5 million people in the UK are juggling caring responsibilities with work – that’s 1 in 5 of the workforce – and we need to do more to support carers in the workplace, who are juggling employment, child care and caregiving responsibilities each day.

Our new research highlights the discrepancy in the level of support that’s so urgently needed for carers, with increasing financial pressure on caregivers across the UK. Lottie’s research shows they are, on average, out of pocket by £2,613 – an increase of £119 since last year.

Carers are at a much higher risk of experiencing mental health worries – including burnout, stress, and anxiety – as they don’t prioritise their own needs. We urgently need a solution that eases the financial and emotional pressures on carers”, concludes Donnelly.

In 2021, there were almost 1.2 million unpaid carers aged 65 years and over in England and Wales (just over 1 in 10 of the older population), with almost half of these providing more than 50 hours of unpaid care a week, leading to feelings of anxiety, stress, and burnout.

Here’s how employers can embrace the Carers Leave Act and support unpaid carers in the workplace, according to Will Donnelly:

Develop a clear Carers Policy

 Whilst the new Carer’s Leave Bill, offers businesses a guideline to follow, as a manager, be proactive and develop a clear carer’s policy or framework that works for your business and employees. Communicate with the whole team guidance on what a carer is and any practical and emotional support you offer as an employer.

You should develop a dedicated carers’ policy within your HR policies that shares the support your business offers (for instance, flexible working arrangements, guidance on career breaks and mental health support).

Encourage employees to open up

 There is often a worry for many carers about how to open up or share how they’re feeling about juggling work and caregiving responsibilities. Above all, be there for your employees who are juggling caregiving responsibilities – they are under a lot of pressure.

A simple chat every week will often do wonders. Employees juggling care responsibilities will likely feel worried, anxious, or stressed and need a place to safely and securely come forward when they’re ready.

 Help your employees in finding care support

Being a carer and juggling full-time work is a challenge. Care homes or in-home care can be a great alternative that ensures a loved one is supported. For instance, if an employee’s elderly relative requires 24-hour care, a nursing home can provide this with trained staff.

You may find it helpful to share any local care homes or in-home help in the area in a shared community space – whether that’s online or in the office.

Alternatively, more businesses are becoming increasingly aware of the benefits surrounding elder care benefits. Eldercare solutions for businesses can support employees with caregiving responsibilities by offering a concierge service that matches an employee’s loved one with the right care – whether that’s in a care home setting or at home.

Create a support network

Being an unpaid carer can sometimes feel isolating – especially when juggling many commitments, so it’s important to be able to lean on a support network.

By creating a carers support group at your workplace, you can help caregivers to feel supported and connected to others in similar situations. Support groups can also help in sharing and learning valuable tips and techniques to manage caregiving responsibilities from other careers.

Similarly, there are lots of support groups for carers available across the UK – such as Carers UK and Age UK – sharing local support groups in your area can help caregivers to find a valuable support network.

*Seniorcare By Lottie’s

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