An article explored past trends in the provision of informal care by children/children-in-law to their older parents/parents-in-law between 1985 and 1995 in Great Britain. During this period, there was a decline in co-resident inter-generational care, in particular highly intensive care. The article explored possible factors underlying these trends.
Source: Linda Pickard, 'The decline of intensive intergenerational care of older people in Great Britain, 1985 1995', Population Trends 110, Winter 2002, Office for National Statistics, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Article (pdf)
Date: 2002-Dec
An article examined changes in economic and social role occupancy in Great Britain across four birth cohorts passing through mid-life over the period 1985 to 2000. It was found that the proportion of people with multiple role commitments in mid-life (for example, work, care for children and care for dependent parents) is relatively low at any one point in time: but the likelihood of having multiple role commitments appears to be increasing across successive birth cohorts. Multiple role responsibilities make little difference to entitlement to basic state pensions: but there are significant differences with respect to entitlement to second tier pensions, with women (especially mothers) being particularly disadvantaged. Moreover, combining paid employment with caregiving was not an option for a significant minority of women with caring responsibilities in mid-life.
Source: Maria Evandrou and Karen Glaser, 'Changing economic and social roles: the experience of four cohorts of mid-life individuals in Britain, 1985 2000', Population Trends 110, Winter 2002, Office for National Statistics, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Article (pdf) | Research findings (pdf) | ESRC press release
Date: 2002-Dec
The government announced its intention to introduce a Bill to provide a carer or close relative with the general authority to act, within reasonable limits, in day-to-day decision making on behalf of people with mental incapacity on financial, welfare and healthcare matters.
Source: Press release 16.12.02, Lord Chancellor s Department (020 7210 8500)
Links: LCD press release | Law Society/BMA press release
Date: 2002-Dec
A report summarised findings from the first ever quantitative surveys of young carers, carried out in 1995 and 1997.
Source: Chris Dearden with Saul Becker, Statistical Profiles of Young Carers: A report on the first two Young Carers Research Group s (CCFR) quantitative surveys of young carers, Evidence Issue 3, Centre for Child and Family Research/Loughborough University (01509 228355)
Links: Report (pdf)
Date: 2002-Nov
A report said that 'young carers projects' (designed to address some of the problems identified by research into young carers experiences) are highly valued by young carers, their parents and professional support workers, and help compensate for the inadequacy or unavailability of statutory services.
Source: Chris Dearden with Saul Becker, Young Carers Projects: What do CCFR Evaluation Reports tell us about Dedicated Projects for Young Carers?, Evidence Issue 4, Centre for Child and Family Research/Loughborough University (01509 228355)
Links: Report (pdf)
Date: 2002-Nov
A survey examined the extent to which people in their fifties and sixties combine work with family caring responsibilities, and how this affects their attitudes to employment. The researchers concluded that the contribution of these carers may not be sustainable without more resources, such as flexible working hours, the opportunity to reduce hours or take a career break without financial penalties, and good-quality, affordable support for both carers and care recipients.
Source: Ann Mooney and June Statham with Antonia Simon, The Pivot Generation: Informal Care and Work after 50, Policy Press for Joseph Rowntree Foundation, available from Marston Book Services (01235 465500)
Links: JRF Findings 032
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/2, Digest 122, paragraph 5.5
Date: 2002-Oct
From 28 October 2002 carers aged 65 or over can make a claim for invalid care allowance: but the allowance will still overlap with retirement pension.
Source: Important Information for Carers: Changes to the Help Available, Carers UK (0808 808 7777) and Department for Work and Pensions
Links: DWP press release
Date: 2002-Oct
From 1 September 2002 many carers in Scotland will have extended rights; in particular, carers will be entitled to an assessment of their needs whenever they want, regardless of whether the person they care for is also being assessed.
Source: Community Care and Health (Scotland) Act 2002, Scottish Executive, TSO (0870 606 5566)
Links: Act | Press release
Date: 2002-Sep
Research reportedly found that more than half of all adults will care for an ageing parent, sick partner or friend at some point in their lives.
Source: Research by Michael Hirst, University of York, reported in The Independent, 18.7.02
Links: Independent article
Date: 2002-Jul
A charity for people with learning disabilities called for the role, needs and contributions of family carers to be built into policy delivery and evaluation at every level within key government departments.
Source: Valuing People, Valuing Families, Home Farm Trust (01242 211000)
Links: Press release
Date: 2002-Jul
A paper argued that official figures significantly underestimate the number of adults receiving care, the amount of informal care provided, and the value of unpaid care.
Source: Michael Hirst, Costing Adult Care: Comments on the ONS Valuation of Unpaid Adult Care, Social Policy Research Unit/University of York (01904 433608)
Links: Paper (pdf)
Date: 2002-Jul
An investigation of two large public sector organisations (a social services department and a National Health Service trust) looked at how staff and managers deal with workers caring responsibilities for older adults.
Source: Judith Phillips, Miriam Bernard and Minda Chittenden, Juggling Work and Care: The Experiences of Working Carers of Older Adults, Policy Press for Joseph Rowntree Foundation, available from Marston Book Services (01235 465500)
Links: JRF Findings 7112
Date: 2002-Jul
One official survey found that one in six people aged 16 or over were caring for a sick, disabled or elderly person (Great Britain, 2000).
Source: J. Maher and H. Green, Carers 2000, Office for National Statistics, TSO (web only)
Links: Report (pdf)
Date: 2002-Jun
An official survey examined the impact of caring on the mental health and well-being of the carer.
Source: N. Singleton et al., Mental Health of Carers, Office for National Statistics, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Report (pdf)
Date: 2002-Jun
A review examined the difficulties faced by families of black disabled children in getting access to short breaks.
Sources: R. Flynn, Short Breaks: Providing Better Access and More Choice for Black Disabled Children and Their Parents, Policy Press for Joseph Rowntree Foundation, available from Marston Book Services (01235 465500)
Links: JRF Findings 582
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/2, Digest 122 (paragraph 5.4)
Date: 2002-May
A report calculated that unpaid carers save taxpayers 57 billion each year.
Source: Without Us ? Calculating the Value of Carers' Support, Carers United Kingdom (020 7490 8818)
Links: No link
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/2, Digest 122 (paragraph 1.8)
Date: 2002-May