Unpaid carers 'do jobs of 4m workers'

THE social care system would crumble without its army of unpaid carers, equal to more than four million jobs.

- Emily Braeger

But parents of severely disabled loved ones are quickly becoming the "forgotten families on the brink of collapse". They warn that they urgently need support as they are at the point of burnout.

Research seen by the Daily Express reveals family members spend more than 40 hours a week providing care.

As a result, nearly two-thirds (65%) say they are exhausted and burnt out, with one in five unable to remember the last time they had a break.

Some 60% say that without proper respite support, they become isolated and lonely, and 65% become anxious and stressed.

Richard Kramer, of disability charity Sense, said: "Caring for someone with complex disabilities is often demanding, non-stop work, and takes its toll physically and mentally.

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