Four in five dementia carers have reached a crisis point due to a lack of support, according to new figures that reveal the scale of pressures facing families across the UK.
The findings come from an annual survey carried out by national charity, Dementia Carers Count, on 1,095 dementia carers.
The charity reports that 80% of respondents have hit a crisis point, with nearly 75% feeling unable to continue caring.
This level of distress highlights a system that is failing to meet carers’ needs, with one in two respondents reporting they do not receive enough support.
Dementia carers are entitled to a Carer’s Assessment, yet 45% of survey respondents have not had one, and of those who have, 45% did not receive a follow-up.
The survey findings show a pattern of compounding pressures: most carers did not choose the role – 75% said they had no other option; economic strain is widespread, with 55% of respondents reporting that caring has negatively impacted their finances; and the majority (77%) feel alone, with four in five carers stating that they have no plans in place should they be unable to care.
These pressures have created a situation where carers are stretched to breaking point, often sacrificing their own health and wellbeing.
The survey shows that 33% of dementia carers believe their physical health is getting worse in a way that may impact their ability to provide care, and 39% say their mental health is “poor” or “very poor”.
Commenting on the findings, Frances Lawrence, CEO of Dementia Carers Count, said: “Being a dementia carer is incredibly tough. Our survey findings show that many dementia carers are caring 24/7 and only one in two say they have access to support. It’s no wonder that so many carers feel exhausted and reach a crisis point or feel like they just can’t go on.
“It doesn’t have to be this way. Dementia carers know what would make a difference to them. A big priority for carers is to have a single point of contact to help them access the support they need – whether this is practical or emotional.”
Dementia Carers Count says the findings must act as a wake‑up call for policymakers. With one in two people expected to either become a dementia carer or need dementia care in their lifetime, the charity argues that improving support is not only a moral imperative but a national priority.
“Without the thousands of unpaid carers who are looking after family members day in, day out, our current care system would collapse. It’s high time that we listen to what carers desperately need and get services and support in place to stop so many from reaching crisis,” Frances said.
Dementia carers who took part in the survey are calling on the government to strengthen financial support for people with caring responsibilities, improve access to community groups and respite services, and ensure clear signposting to appropriate help.
Frances Lawrence will speak on the Dementia Question Time panel, taking place in the Dementia Matters theatre at 12:55pm on March 26.