Dementia carers’ postcode lottery: As Mail launches landmark fundraising appeal, heartbreaking figures reveal how looking after loved ones hits families’ quality of life differently around the UK

A survey in England suggests dementia carers’ quality of life varies sharply by area, with the lowest reported scores in Brent and Shropshire and the highest in County Durham. The findings highlight the strain of unpaid care and the importance of making support available consistently across the country.

Dementia carers scored an average of 7.1 out of 12 for quality of life, compared with 7.3 for other carers; local scores ranged from 5.8 to 8.7. Charity analysis identified financial hardship, providing more than 100 hours of care a week and loneliness as factors linked to poorer wellbeing, while satisfaction with support, involvement in care discussions and accessible information were linked to better outcomes. A planned six-week support course, Dementia Carers Together, aims to offer advice and connect carers.