Who cares? Geographic variation in unpaid caregiving in England and Wales: evidence from the 2001 Census

Demographic changes, notably increases in the size of the very old population, mean that the number and proportion of people in Britain needing assistance with everyday activities is projected to increase considerably in coming decades, even if optimistic assumptions about declines in rates of disability prove correct. Most of this help is provided by ‘informalʼ unpaid caregivers, predominantly close relatives. The need for statutory authorities to work with and support these caregivers is increasingly recognised as important.