For years, much attention has been focused on the financial support parents give their adult children but it may be time for the BOMADs (Bank Of Mum And Dad), to make way for the COMADs – the Carers Of Mum And Dad. New research from Engage Mutual suggests it is the role that these parents play in supporting their own elderly relatives that needs urgent attention – with four in five calling for help and support as they juggle busy work and home lives with providing care for their elderly parents.
With the phenomenal growth in the older population resting on the shoulders of their adult children, Engage Mutual asked carers aged 40-65 about their own needs. With 80% of respondents saying they need better support, Engage Mutual asked them which ONE form of support that is not currently available would be most helpful:
The Engage Mutual survey of more than 1,000 40-65 year olds with elderly parents found that 24% played a regular carer role, providing financial and everyday support as part of their already pressured and busy lives. For many, this comes at a price. Only 21% say their employer would be supportive of them taking time off to help their elderly parents; 32% said they are constantly having to juggle priorities, with 25% always stressed as a result. A further 23% claimed they had no free time to recharge and relax and 11% said they were seldom able to even think about having a decent holiday.
With the care system in crisis, one overlooked trend is that the vast majority of people would not consider a care home for their elderly parents. The Engage Mutual survey revealed that 83% disliked the care home option – 32% saying it was too expensive, 47% worried about what they have heard about the way people are treated in homes, 35% not rating the standard of carers and 32% worried about reports of abuse and robbery.
Engage Mutual has responded to the concerns of this expanding generation of carers by setting up an online community network for the over 40s called engagewithyou.com that aims to help them find help and share experiences on social care issues with other people facing similar challenges. The site also draws together expert help from a range of organisations and charities and aims to provide a sign post and resource centre for people who seek more information, support and tips.
Karl Elliott at Engage Mutual said: “For too long the elderly care debate in the UK has focused on care homes when the true reality is that millions of ordinary people across the UK want to provide the best support they can for their elderly parents to keep them independent and active for as long as possible. Some of these carers need financial assistance, most simply don’t have any time for themselves. Whilst many people with the best of intentions want to be able to provide the care and support needed, it can be difficult to commit the time and energy for this around their already hectic lives, at work, at home and also supporting their children.
“As a mutual that is focused on connecting its members, we want to create a community for those in the hectic middle of life to share experiences, talk with others and get help and information.“
For more information, case studies, additional research data or to arrange interviews contact the engagewithyou.com PR team:
Lindsay Marino - 07581180501 lindsay@elephantcommunications.co.uk
Kathryn McLaughlin - 01423 855245 - media@engagewithyou.com
Video stories and articles are live at engagewithyou.com
The research was undertaken for engagewithyou.com by YouGov between 4-9 April 2012. The survey polled a GB representative sample of 1,008 people aged 45-60 who had elderly parents and 500 people aged over 65 who had adult children
www.engagewithyou.com is an online community that signposts help and information for a responsibility laden generation in the hectic middle of life. Here they can share experiences, stories and tips, and find solutions to help them deal with a range of issues.
This new venture for customer owned financial services provider Engage Mutual, will see it provide an environment for people to connect, help, and support each other. Engage Mutual is one of the larger UK mutuals providing simple, value for money savings, protection and investment products to more than 500,000 customers.
-ENDS-
Jul 12, 2012 15:59 BST While some financial plcs find themselves under an uncomfortable spotlight, having valued profit above people, Engage Mutual is on a different tack. The Yorkshire mutual has launched engagewithyou.com, an online community for people from all backgrounds and situations who are seeking information, or to share their experience, on dealing with a range of challenging life events.
Jul 11, 2012 08:15 BST The political parties may be locked in a row about how and when to fund reforms for long term elderly care, but new data from Engage Mutual suggests the vast majority of the public would not even consider the care home option for their elderly parents.
May 31, 2012 08:05 BST Forget notions of wealthy children looking after their parents in old age. New research reveals exactly the opposite – the wealthier people are, the less likely they are to provide care, support and financial assistance for their elderly parents.
May 25, 2012 08:05 BST More than one in seven (13%) of people aged 40-65 fear losing their job if they take time off work to look after elderly parents, according to new national research for over the 40s social network, engagewithyou.com.
May 14, 2012 07:14 BST Only around a third of parents with elderly parents have had the ‘big conversation’ about long-term care – even though more than 70% are already providing regular support, according to new research from community website engagewithyou.com.
May 03, 2012 15:00 BST Notions of a selfish society are cast aside today as new research reveals that the 45-60 age group is shouldering the responsibility of looking after elderly parents. Despite active levels of family engagement, all but a minority find it hard to have the conversation about long-term care needs, and for most, care homes are not an option.
Add commentThe comment was saved
Prior to publication, it must be approved by engage with you.