AGE UK has released new statistics that highlight just how tough supporting an older parent can be as part of its Know What To Do campaign to help raise awareness of the huge challenges facing many older people and those around them.
With people living for longer, greater pressure on the health and social care system and the continued cost of living crisis, the responsibility of supporting ageing parents is increasingly falling on adult children.
The new research suggests that one of the biggest concerns people have about supporting an older relative is their lack of knowledge around what to do to help their parents as they age. 6.6 million people aged 40-60 (79 per cent) who are considering caring for or supporting an older parent in the future, worry that they wouldn’t know how to support them.
This fear is coupled with the challenges of managing their own responsibilities with the needs of ageing loved ones. Around 5.7 million (69 per cent) who are considering caring for or supporting an older parent in the future, say they would find it hard to care for or support their parent(s) whilst juggling their own life, such as their job and children.
Money worries also top the list of things to be concerned about in the future, with 5.1 million (61 per cent) of adults aged 40-60 considering caring for or supporting an older parent saying they would struggle to manage financially.
Additionally, three quarters (74 per cent) of adults aged 40-60 thinking about caring for or supporting an older parent in the future say they would find it stressful.
Following the launch of the Charity’s latest TV film that first aired in March/April, Age UK is getting ready to launch an updated version of the film for summer which shines a light on the anxieties those with older parents have as they anticipate taking on the responsibility of supporting their loved ones.
Age UK’s Know what to do film and campaign point out that no one needs to cope with these issues alone and that Age UK is there to help.
You can view the new film at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WtpFplqQDw