Future of an Ageing Population
gs-16-10-future-of-an-ageing-population
gs-16-10-future-of-an-ageing-population
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combine health <strong>an</strong>d social care skills.<br />
Dem<strong>an</strong>d for family <strong>an</strong>d other unpaid care is similarly expected to increase.<br />
PSSRU projections from 2015 suggest that between 2015 <strong>an</strong>d 2035, the<br />
number <strong>of</strong> people aged 65 <strong>an</strong>d over who require unpaid care will grow by<br />
more th<strong>an</strong> one million 154 . This is based on ONS demographic projections <strong>an</strong>d<br />
<strong>an</strong> assumption that the proportion <strong>of</strong> care dem<strong>an</strong>d met by friends <strong>an</strong>d family<br />
remains const<strong>an</strong>t within each age group. If this trend continues, there will<br />
be <strong>an</strong> estimated shortfall <strong>of</strong> 160,000 unpaid carers in Engl<strong>an</strong>d by 2032 179 .<br />
Projections by PSSRU suggest that dem<strong>an</strong>d will increase more rapidly from<br />
2017 onwards 180 , in line with ONS data which show only a small increase in<br />
adults receiving care between 2005 <strong>an</strong>d 2014. The ONS data also show that<br />
between 2005 <strong>an</strong>d 2014, the total number <strong>of</strong> hours <strong>of</strong> unpaid care given<br />
increased by 25% from 6.5 to 8.1 billion hours a year. This me<strong>an</strong>s that, while<br />
the number <strong>of</strong> people receiving care has not yet increased signific<strong>an</strong>tly, the<br />
amount <strong>of</strong> care being provided has 181 .<br />
It is import<strong>an</strong>t to underst<strong>an</strong>d the impact <strong>of</strong> care on the carer. The evidence<br />
is mixed. For example, unpaid care responsibilities are associated with poor<br />
health (see Figure 6.5). One study found unpaid carers are 2.5 times more<br />
likely to experience psychological stress th<strong>an</strong> non-carers 182 . On the other h<strong>an</strong>d,<br />
a recent study suggested carers experience reduced mortality 183 compared to<br />
non-caregiving reference groups. M<strong>an</strong>y carers also report positive experiences<br />
<strong>of</strong> caring <strong>an</strong>d have a greater longevity th<strong>an</strong> non-carers 184 . Whilst evidence<br />
gives <strong>an</strong> inconsistent picture on the effects <strong>of</strong> caring responsibilities on carers,<br />
it is clear that a growing number <strong>of</strong> carers will need support to minimise the<br />
negative impacts <strong>of</strong> providing care. Support is particularly import<strong>an</strong>t for those<br />
trying to m<strong>an</strong>age competing responsibilities such as work. Evidence shows<br />
that working carers c<strong>an</strong> experience a r<strong>an</strong>ge <strong>of</strong> difficulties including lack <strong>of</strong> time,<br />
excessive stress <strong>an</strong>d resulting health problems, <strong>an</strong>d fin<strong>an</strong>cial pressures 185 . The<br />
impact <strong>of</strong> this on the labour market is discussed more fully in Chapter 2.<br />
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