Carers of people with dementia report reaching ‘breaking point’

The emotional toll faced by carers of people with dementia has been laid bare in a new survey by the Alzheimer’s Society charity.

More than four in 10 carers (43%) in the UK say they have reached ‘breaking point’ and felt they were ‘unable to cope’, with 10% experiencing this more than once.

Of the more than 2,000 respondents, more than half (56%) said caring had damaged their mental health, while seven in 10 (70%) fear the stress is harming their own health and wellbeing.

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Nearly two-thirds (64%) admitted they hide how they feel from friends and family to ‘avoid being a burden’.

According to the charity, nearly one million people in the UK are living with dementia.

The survey findings also revealed ‘widespread’ issues with sleep deprivation, with many describing a state of ‘constant worry’.

Seven in 10 (71%) said they felt they were already grieving the person they once knew, even as they continue to care for them.

The charity has now launched an appeal, the Forget Me Not Appeal, in the hopes of supporting people impacted by dementia.

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It encourages people to wear a Forget Me Not badge to raise awareness and funds.

Chief executive of Alzheimer’s Society Michelle Dyson said: ‘Dementia is one of the greatest challenges facing our society today, but the real tragedy is how many people face it alone.

‘Behind every diagnosis are families facing emotional, financial and practical pressures that can feel overwhelming.’

She said, in the last year alone, the charity had supported ‘tens of thousands of people through our support line, with over half of those calls coming from carers, friends and family’.

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‘We are proud to be there for people when they need us most, but families should not have to bear this overwhelming weight,’ added Ms Dyson.

‘With the right investment in diagnosis, care and support, alongside bold action from government, the weight can be lifted.’