Carers UK and Lloydspharmacy have signed a new partnership agreement - working together to provide health advice and information to improve carers' health.
According to research conducted last year by Carers UK, a staggering 95% of those carers questioned said they regularly cover up or disguise the fact that their health is suffering in order to continue with their caring responsibilities.
Worryingly, one-fifth (19%) of these carers said they ignored feeling ill "all the time". Almost 1 in 4 (24%) of carers say they frequently feel unable to cope with their day-to-day duties due to the physical and emotional stresses of their caring role.
Imelda Redmond, Chief Executive of Carers UK said: “Carers play a vital role in the collection, monitoring and administration of medicines for people they care for. Not only can Lloydspharmacy provide expert guidance for carers in this critical role, but also in staying healthy themselves. Carers’ own health needs protecting, and they are often so used to looking out for the health of loved-ones that they ignore their own. As a result of this, and the real physical and mental strains of caring, carers are more than twice as likely to suffer from poor health as those who don’t have caring responsibilities.
Lloydspharmacy pharmacies are invaluable sources information and community support, and Carers UK are extremely pleased to be working in partnership with them, to help carers access high quality advice on caring for their loved-ones and looking after their own health. ”
Andy Murdock, Lloydspharmacy’s Pharmacy Director, said: “Carers represent a very large proportion of the people who use our pharmacies on a regular basis. That’s why we are so pleased to be able to support Carers UK and to work with them to improve carers’ health and their access to support and advice in the community.”