Retirement age caregivers and deprivation of area of residence in England and Wales.

Many countries in Europe are beginning to acknowledge the essential contribution of informal caregivers, as policy changes leave more people with greater needs being cared for in the community. Carers who are themselves retired are a vulnerable group. Compared to caregivers in younger age groups, a higher proportion have pre-existing disease; they may be more vulnerable to the adverse effects of caregiving on health, and many survive on low incomes. This study investigated whether ill health amongst older carers and hours of caregiving were greater in disadvantaged areas of England and Wales. We also estimated the cost of replacing this care with formal services. Data were analysed from the 2001 UK census, relating to 9.2 million males and females of pensionable age living outside of communal establishments in England and Wales. Thirteen percent of people over retirement age (1.2 million) provided care for others, more than half of whom (742,182) reported poor health. Pensioners provided care in all areas; the proportion giving care was higher in low deprivation (advantaged) areas, but both the numbers and proportion of pensioners in poor health providing many hours of care were greater in disadvantaged areas. The annual cost of replacing all informal with formal social care was estimated to lie between 14.8 and 43.9 billion Euros. Older carers are an essential support to welfare systems. If demographic shifts require any substitution of formal for informal care, this will place a significant burden on all areas, with the greatest needs likely to be in the disadvantaged areas.