Dumfries and Galloway faces carer crisis

THE NUMBER of people needing care in the region is expected to soar in the next 25 years. And that’s set to create even more unpaid carers, who look after family or friends. Already, nearly 10 per cent of the region’s population consider themselves to provide some form of care.

But experts reckon that number will be much higher as the number of over-65s goes up.

That’s according to a new carers strategy – the draft version of which is to be presented to councillors and NHS officials for approval on Friday.

It states: “The 2001 census identified that in Dumfries and Galloway there are 14,043 unpaid carers – almost 10 per cent of the population – who identified themselves as providing care for a family member or friend.

“Given that many people do not recognise themselves as a carer and that the census figures are now 10 years old, the actual number of carers is likely to be significantly higher.”

The report says 60 per cent of the carers are female, around two per cent are aged under 16, nearly a quarter are pensioners and just over half are in employment.

It states: “We must acknowledge that carers may also have other responsibilities, as a parent or employee, for example.”

All indications suggest the average age of the region’s population will go up as people live longer and more people move here to retire.

The strategy warns this will place extra pressure on carers. It states: “Dumfries and Galloway will see significant changes to the structure of its population over the next 20 years.

“These projections suggest that the gap between older and younger populations is likely to widen over time.

“The over-65s population is likely to grow by 25 per cent by 2018 and 56 per cent by 2033; 29 per cent for those aged 65-74 and 88 per cent for those aged 75 and over.

“This means there will be 17,713 more people aged 65 and older and 16,309 fewer of working age in 2033.

“This suggests that the number of people requiring care will soar in the next 25 years, with there being substantially fewer people of working age to provide care. Such projections must be taken into consideration.

“Unpaid care will grow in importance as people live longer and receive more care at home.

“Carers themselves will also become older and will be more likely to have dual caring roles, where they are caring for more than one person at one time.”

The strategy sets out a number of aims, including helping younger carers’ transition into adult life and making sure NHS staff identify and support carers.

The community health and social care partnership board will be told that financial resources will need to be allocated to help carers.