Abstract
Informal carers play a vital role in supporting people living with mental health conditions, but comparatively little is known about the economic value of caring. This study undertook an online survey of adult informal carers supporting adults with mental health conditions to better understand the impacts of caring on carer quality of life, levels of loneliness, finances and employment, as well as estimate the economic value of time spent caring. In total, 712 carers participated in the multi-national survey between August 2019 and April 2020. A total of 17% were male, with a mean age of 53, and 68% supported a child living with a mental health condition. A total of 56% of care recipients were male, with a mean age of 37. Adverse impacts on quality of life, loneliness and personal finances were greatest in carers living with care recipients. Overall mean weekly hours of care were 43.42, rising to 65.41 for carers living with care recipients. Mean weekly costs of care per carer ranged from €660 to €2223 depending on living arrangements. Annual costs ranged between €34,960 and €125,412, depending on living arrangements and valuation method. Informal care costs are substantial, and policy makers should consider investing more in carer support, especially for carers living with care recipients.
Highlights
And other informal caregiving is a fundamental contribution made to the welfare of all societies
Informal care costs are substantial, and policy makers should consider investing more in carer support, especially for carers living with care recipients
Informal carers are fundamental to the functioning of health and social care systems and the wider economy; it is critical to invest in measures to support these caregivers and identify potential risk factors that might lead to a breakdown in caregiving support
Summary
And other informal caregiving is a fundamental contribution made to the welfare of all societies. Throughout life, we all rely on different levels of care and support from family and friends Some of this caring is seen as a fundamental duty, this being most evident for parents providing care for their children until they reach adulthood. More than a decade ago, a parliamentary report looking at the needs of carers supporting people with mental health conditions in Canada stated that “caregivers feel excluded, ignored by the mental health, mental illness and addiction system in Canada. It is these same family members who often provide most of the care and support to people living with mental illness” [1]. In many European countries, carers appear to receive little support for their own health and welfare needs [2]
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