So-called ‘sandwich carers’ – those who care for both sick, disabled or older relatives and dependent children – are more likely to report symptoms of mental ill-health, feel less satisfied with life, and struggle financially compared with the general population, new figures show. Data from the Office for National Statistics shows almost 27% of sandwich carers show symptoms of mental ill-health while caring for both sick, disabled or
older relatives and children.
With life expectancy increasing and women having their first child at an older age, around 3% of the UK general population, equivalent to more than 1.3 million people, now have this twin responsibility.