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Responding to today’s launch of the Government’s New Deal for Carers‚ Age Concern’s Director General‚ Gordon Lishman‚ said:

“The New Deal for Carers is very welcome. Thousands of older carers across the country struggle daily to juggle work and care‚ yet receive little recognition or support. The £15 billion of unpaid work that older carers contribute to the economy is often at the expense of their own good heath and wellbeing.

“There is still much more to be done. As a priority‚ we want all community health and social care services to provide carers with a named contact - to give them the information and support they need‚ when they need it. And while investment into respite care for carers in crisis is important‚ more planned respite care - including the provision of practical support such as cooking‚ cleaning and shopping - should also be offered to give older carers the opportunity to make more out of their own lives.”