The Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) today released their 2021 Activity Survey report.

Responding to the findings, Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK, said:
“This hard-hitting evidence from ADASS shows the other side of the pandemic that we have been warning about -  carers are exhausted on the brink of collapse. Sadly, it’s no surprise. We know from Carers UK’s work with thousands of carers that 81% are providing more care, most of which was a result of the person’s condition getting worse.”

Carers UK’s recent research report for Carers Week 2021, 'Breaks or Breakdown', found that:  

• Carers have lost, on average, 25 hours of support a month they previously had from services or family and friends before the pandemic.
• 72% of carers have not had any breaks from their caring role at all. Of those who got a break, a third (33%) used the time to complete practical tasks or housework, and a quarter (26%) to attend their own medical appointments.
• Three quarters (74%) reported being exhausted as a result of caring during the pandemic, and more than a third (35%) said they feel unable to manage their unpaid caring role.
• Worryingly for the future, fewer than one in five (14%) exhausted unpaid carers are confident that the support they receive with caring will continue following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Helen Walker continued:
“It’s no wonder that social services directors are reporting families with more significant needs coming forward where care has broken down – with the hurt, anxiety, physical exhaustion and distress that has obviously been caused.  This is not what carers want – to be pushed to breaking point and beyond. It’s just not sustainable and it’s bad for everyone. Carers want good quality care so that their family is able to live their lives and do things that others take for granted and they want a break. Investment in the funding of carers’ breaks, care and social care reform cannot come too soon in our opinion and is urgently needed.”