Age UK is the country's leading charity dedicated to helping everyone make the most of later life
We help millions every year, providing support, companionship and advice for older people who need it most. Last year we answered over 227,000 calls to our advice line and our website’s advice and information pages were visited by over 8 million people. The Age UK network comprises around 125 local Age UKs reaching most of England. Our family also includes Age Cymru, Age NI and Age Scotland, as well as Age International, with whom we support vulnerable older people in more than 40 countries worldwide.
Age UK and many of its local partners are pleased to participate in Carers Week 2024. We provide help and support to carers across the country in many different ways - such as offering counselling and support groups, sharing advice on Carer's Assessments and benefits, and providing day care and respite, or organising fun activities to allow carers to relax.
Caroline Abrahams, Charity Director at Age UK says:
“As I and many other people know from our own experience, caring for someone is a tough job which even when done willingly, can exact a heavy toll on the carer – practically, emotionally and often financially too.
“Over 2 million carers in this country are themselves aged 65 plus and astonishingly, over 417,000 carers are themselves 80 and above. Also, there are over 1.1 million sandwich carers in the UK who are caring for an older relative as well as bringing up a family.
“Whoever they are, all carers need our support. Unfortunately, as the State has retreated and failed to fulfil its social care duties it is the individual carers and families who are having to pick up the pieces.
“Age UK provides independent information and advice for carers and their families now. We also campaign for social care to be reformed and properly funded. Ensuring carers get the support they deserve and should be entitled to as of right is very much part of our vision as a charity.”
For more information:
- visit the Age UK website
- call the Age UK Advice Line on 0800 678 1602