Alzheimer’s charity highlights emotional plight of ‘silent army of carers’

By The Press Association4th February 2016News EnglandAlzheimers, Carers, Dementia, News England, Older People

People who care for a loved one with dementia are “struggling in silence”, a charity has warned.

The Alzheimer’s Society said caring for someone with dementia could take an “enormous toll” on the emotional health and wellbeing of the carer.

A small poll conducted by the charity on 176 carers found that nine in 10 experienced feelings of stress or anxiety several times a week while four in five said they found it difficult to talk about the emotional impact of caring.

The Alzheimer’s Society has launched a new research trial to test the efficacy of online therapy to specifically support these carers.

The charity said there were 700,000 people in the UK who care for someone with dementia so a new form of online support could have a significant impact.

Dr Doug Brown, director of research and development at Alzheimer’s Society, said: “In this country, unpaid dementia carers prop up our health and social care system.

“This silent army of husbands, wives, sons and daughters spending 1.3 billion hours a year providing care.

“This can take an enormous toll on their emotional health and wellbeing.

“Carers tell us that even when they have taken that difficult first step and gone to see their GP, accessing any sort of face-to-face therapy presents a whole new challenge – from finding the time to attend and getting care cover to the extremely long waiting times facing many for these treatments.

“Being able to log on at home to immediately access tried and tested support and coping strategies has the potential to transform the lives of tens of thousands of carers.”