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Carers looking after a loved one with dementia face a shocking lack of support after diagnosis
A survey by Alzheimer’s Society found that many unpaid carers for people with dementia feel unsupported, with the strain affecting their health, work and daily lives. The findings point to a risk of burnout and highlight the need for practical and emotional help after a loved one is diagnosed.
Among 2,129 UK adults affected by dementia, 56 per cent of unpaid carers said they did not feel supported, and 54 per cent had reduced or given up work, hobbies or social activities. Eight in ten worried about how they would manage when they could no longer cope; 45 per cent said no healthcare professional had advised them to look after their own wellbeing. The survey also found that 71 per cent of carers felt they were already grieving the person they once knew, while a nationwide programme is planned to offer six-week support courses.
In short
- Many unpaid dementia carers say they lack support.
- Caring has forced more than half to give up or reduce activities.
- New six-week courses aim to provide practical and emotional help.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The findings support the case for expanding practical and emotional help for unpaid carers after a dementia diagnosis. Many report strain on their health, work and relationships, and earlier support could help prevent burnout while enabling people with dementia to remain cared for at home.
The case against
Support is important, but the survey alone does not establish which services would best meet carers’ needs or whether a particular programme should be expanded nationally. Policymakers could argue that limited resources should go to interventions with demonstrated benefits, while first assessing the planned six-week courses and tailoring support to carers’ differing circumstances.
Explained simply
Dementia is a group of conditions that affect memory, thinking and everyday life, and it can change how a person relates to family and friends. People with dementia may need increasing help over time, often from relatives or friends who provide care without pay.
Unpaid carers can face practical demands alongside the emotional effects of seeing someone close to them change. Their ability to keep working, socialising and looking after their own health can also be affected, while support may come from health services, charities and local groups.