Carers

Introduction

An unpaid carer is a person of any age, including children, who looks after a family member, partner or friend who needs help because of illness, frailty, disability, a mental health condition or an addiction and cannot cope without their support. It is thought that most people will have caring responsibilities at some point in their life.

Why is it important to Population Health?

Carers are important to population health for several reasons:

High Prevalence and Impact:
In 2021, the greatest proportion of unpaid carers in Derbyshire provided 19 hours or less of unpaid care per week, followed by 50 or more hours of unpaid care per week. Adults aged 50 to 64 were the most likely to have caring responsibilities, and those aged 65 and over provided the highest percentage of 50 hours or more compared with all other age groups. By supporting carers, population health initiatives can reduce strain on health and care services, improve outcomes for the people they care for, and protect carers’ own health and wellbeing.

Population Health and Ageing:
As the UK population continues to age, the number of people who provide care and the intensity of caring are both likely to increase. Older carers may have their own long term conditions and are at higher risk of poor physical and mental health. Focusing on carer identification, support and respite helps carers maintain their independence, reduces avoidable health problems, and supports healthy ageing.

Economic Implications:
Caring is a national priority as it forms a significant proportion of the local health and social care system. In 2021, the estimated economic value of the contributions made by carers in England and Wales was £162 billion per year and £2.185 million across Derbyshire. There has been an increase of 33 percent in real terms since 2011.¹

Quality of Life:
Caring can affect work, education, finances, social connections and mental health. Without timely support, carers may experience stress, anxiety, depression, loneliness and a decline in their own physical health. Population health approaches aim to improve quality of life by ensuring carers can access information, advice, breaks from caring, financial support and peer support.

Prevention and Promotion:
Many negative impacts of caring are preventable with the right support at the right time. Population health has a key role in promoting awareness of carers’ rights, training for identification of carers in all frontline settings, and implementation of practical measures such as carer assessments, flexible appointments, workplace carer policies and clear referral routes to local support. By emphasising prevention, we can help carers stay well and continue caring safely.

Overall, carers are central to population health because their contribution supports individuals, communities and the wider system. By addressing carers’ needs in a comprehensive way, population health initiatives can improve outcomes for carers and the people they care for, enhance quality of life, and reduce the burden on services.

The Derbyshire Population Health Approach

The Derbyshire Population Health Approach focuses on prevention, population health, evidence-informed practices, causes, and collaboration. It emphasises proactive measures to prevent health issues, tailors interventions to specific populations, incorporates evidence-informed practices, addresses underlying causes, and promotes collaboration for effective action.

When considering the topic of carers within The Derbyshire Population Health Approach:

• Prevention

Preventing caregiver fatigue, involving strategies like respite care which offers carers temporary relief, a chance to recharge, and time for personal activities is key. Support groups and mental health services provide emotional support and coping strategies, helping to manage the stress and challenges of caregiving.

• Population

Evidence helps us to understand how many carers are in Derbyshire, their demographics, and how many hours of unpaid care they provide. This means support can be tailored to their needs.

Support for carers must be tailored to their diverse roles and needs. Young carers require educational support and flexible schedules, adult carers might need workplace adjustments and financial guidance, and older carers may benefit from physical health support and accessible services. Recognising these varied needs ensures more effective support across the carer spectrum in Derbyshire.

• Evidence

The implementation of evidence-based policies and programs is informed by research into the effectiveness of various support mechanisms, such as the impact of counselling on mental health or the benefits of financial subsidies on carer well-being. Continuous evaluation of these initiatives helps refine and adapt strategies to be more responsive.

• Causes

Addressing the causes of challenges faced by carers involves tackling economic pressures (like care costs and loss of income), social isolation, and health-related issues. Financial assistance programs, community-building activities, and health services tailored to carers can alleviate some of these pressures. This is where we were thinking the Locality KTS will be of use as they will also pick out some of the unique aspects faced by the various locations around Derbyshire.

• Collaboration

Effective support for carers comes from a network of collaboration that includes healthcare providers offering accessible medical care for both carers and those they care for, social services providing economic and emotional support, and community organisations creating spaces for respite and connection. This collaborative model ensures a holistic approach to supporting carers, recognising their vital contribution to Derbyshire society.

This should have the following goals supporting all aspects of carers’ lives:

• Awareness amongst the general population.
• Support and rights in employment.
• Better rights, recognition and support from the NHS and social care.
• Sufficient support from health and social care to protect their health and wellbeing.
• Freedom from financial hardship, and a recognition of the additional impact and costs of caring. Given the value of unpaid carers’ support, we need a new social contract for carers which recognises not just their contributions to society, but their need for specific rights, support and recognition.
• Prevention of loneliness and the ability to maintain relationships.
• Freedom from discrimination and promotion of equality. We would like to see everyone, from employers, public authorities, Governments, our elected representatives, community organisations, understand the value of unpaid care and caring, and make concrete changes to improve carers’ lives.

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Latest Derbyshire Data

Carers with enough social contact (18+)

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Trend Data

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Prevalence Maps of Derbyshire

The maps below illustrate various geographies for Derbyshire. LSOAs and MSOAs are geographical divisions used for statistical purposes, allowing for more detailed analysis of local data. In these maps, you can explore various health indicators and data for Derbyshire, providing valuable insights into the area’s health and wellbeing.

LSOA

MSOA

In the top right of the map, you’ll find the ‘Layer Control’ icon. This is an easy way to customise what you see on the map visualisation. Click the ‘Layer Control’ to choose which information is displayed on the map. Pick the indicator that interests you the most, and the map will transform accordingly.

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Slope Index

This chart illustrates the differences in health and lifestyle factors across areas in Derbyshire, from the most deprived (decile 1, red) to the least deprived (decile 10, green). As you move from left to right on the chart (from more deprived to less deprived areas), the line shows whether these factors are becoming more or less common. Essentially, it’s a way to see how living in wealthier or poorer areas affects the prevalence of these factors.

Mobilty

Physical Co-ordination

Memory and Concentration

Personal care

Further Analysis & Assessments

Derbyshire Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) involves a thorough examination of a specific health problem, exploring its causes, consequences, and underlying factors. It combines various data sources, collaboration with stakeholders, and rigorous analysis to generate insights for evidence-informed interventions and policy changes.

More Information & Resources

Here is a list of useful resources and information with regard to carers. These materials are meant to provide individuals, healthcare professionals, and communities with the knowledge and tools they need as part of efforts to address unpaid carers as a population health topic.

Contributors

Jude Boyle, Service Manager, Adult Social Care and Health

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Footnotes

1. Valuing Carers 2021: England and Wales