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 unpaid care per week. Adults aged 50-64 were the most likely to have caring responsibilities, however, those aged 65+ provided the highest percentage of 50 hours or more compared with all other age groups.
By addressing falls, population health initiatives can reduce the overall burden on healthcare systems, improve outcomes, and enhance the quality of life for individuals.
Population Health and Ageing: As the UK population continues to age, the impact of falls becomes increasingly significant. Older adults are more susceptible to falls due to age-related changes, chronic conditions, and other risk factors. By focusing on falls prevention, population health efforts can help older adults maintain their independence, reduce disability, and enhance 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 £2.185m across Derbyshire. There has been an increase of 33% more in real terms than 20111.
Quality of Life: Falls can have a profound impact on an individual’s quality of life. They can result in pain, physical limitations, fear of falling, reduced mobility, loss of independence, and decreased social engagement. By addressing falls through population health initiatives, the goal is to prevent injuries, promote active and healthy living, and enhance overall wellbeing.
Prevention and Promotion: Falls are often preventable through evidence-informed interventions. Population health plays a vital role in promoting awareness, disseminating information, and implementing strategies that reduce fall risks, such as exercise programmes, environmental modifications, and medication management. By emphasising prevention, population health efforts can empower individuals, communities, and healthcare systems to take proactive measures in reducing falls and their associated consequences.
Overall, falls are important to population health because they represent a significant population health challenge that affects individuals, communities, and healthcare systems. By addressing falls comprehensively, population health initiatives can improve population health outcomes, enhance quality of life, and reduce the burden on individuals and society.
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.
Latest Derbyshire Data
Trend Data
Prevalence Maps of Derbyshire
The maps below illustrate Lower Super Output Areas (LSOAs) and Middle Super Output Areas (MSOAs) 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.