Carers

Carers Definition

Carers generally refers to informal individuals who provide care for people with disabilities, often acting as relatives or neighbours rather than being formally employed within established medical or care institutions. This category encompasses those providing essential support outside of formal state systems. In contexts where community care policies have been implemented, the number of these informal carers has seen an increase, and they are predominantly women. Sociologically, the structure of dependency often places parents as the largest category of dependant requiring such care.

Context and Scope

The term is primarily used to describe non-professional relationships of care, highlighting the crucial, yet often unrecognised, role played by family and community members in supporting individuals with specific needs.

Demographic Shifts

Research indicates that the prevalence of informal caring roles has risen, particularly in areas adopting community care models, with women constituting the majority of these informal carers.