In the last year, 4.5 million people have made that incredibly tough decision. Even pre-pandemic 2.4 million did the same thing according to Carers UK.
The relationship between caring and work has always been like walking a tightrope. Fear of not being there when needed for your loved one, alongside managing your workload and responsibilities to your teammates at work. That's not an easy thing to do, it's stressful, and all things considered, it's not a shock that many feel that leaving their job is the only option.
Research has suggested that when people quit their jobs to care for loved ones, it is most commonly women who step into the role. 1 in 25 men quit their job to take up caring responsibility, compared to 1 in 11 women.
Unsurprisingly, this has a long term impact on their career and opportunities at work. Over the next 15 years, the number of people needing care will double. This will have consequences for our loved ones and those caring for them. 87% of people who care for a loved one said caring responsibilities have harmed their mental health.
What can you do?
Well, firstly, it's worth pointing out that each situation is different and only you will know what is right to do for the health of you and your loved one. Understanding that if you’re working as well as caring for someone, it can be a lot to handle at once. That's where organising care can help. It can be a challenging topic to navigate, with many options to choose from. Hourly care?, live-in care? Would you prefer care in your own home and surroundings, or moving into a care home? This is just an example of a few questions you may be asking yourself.
In addition to our award-winning home care and live-in care, you can see moments of joy shared by the Carer with Lifted moments. This and more can all be visible to everyone in the family through the Lifted app, from an auntie in Cornwall to a cousin in Norfolk - no one misses a moment - learn more about the Lifted app here.
Lifted can assist you on this journey, and our care advisors are happy to help guide you on your care options. On this form, fill in your name, email address, postcode, who the care is for, when you think you may need care and we’ll be in touch to talk through your options.