110,000 over 85s spend over 50 hours a week caring for a loved one.

The Office of National Statistics has reported that the number of people aged 85 and over has risen over 25% since 2001 – now up to 1.25 million.

In addition the number of over 85s who provide unpaid care (often for a child) has also doubled since 2001. Many over 85s now have children in their 60’s who are dependent on a carer and often it is their ageing parent who has to take responsibility for this care! The problem is compounded because fewer older people are now entitled to local authority support which means that more elderly people have to provide care for their “older” children.

Whilst of course most parents would undoubtedly see this as something they would do for their child, the physical and emotional toll of providing care for over 50 hours a week, would be very difficult for most to cope with.

Most people over 85 live in their own homes – only 1 in 10 men and 1 in 5 women live in a residential care home. Many of those living at home do so through the support of home care companies like Everycare which allow individuals to keep their independence.