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Highland-based research: The impact of the caring role on unpaid Carers with disabilities and long-term health conditions

  • Area of Work: The ALLIANCE
  • Type: News Item
  • Published: 28th May 2025
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Get involved in research by answering a survey if you are an unpaid carer living or caring for someone in Highland Local Authority.

The ALLIANCE has funded Connecting Carers to conduct a social research project on the impact of caring on unpaid Carers (Adult and Young) with their own disability and long-term health condition.

At the 2022 Census, 33% of self-identified unpaid Carers in Scotland also managed their own disability or long-term health condition whilst caring for someone else because of ill-heath, disability or old age. The figure for the Highland Local Authority is 32% though the actual number for Highland and Scotland will be higher.

Unpaid Carers in this demographic tend to view their healthcare needs as secondary to the cared-for person and will miss medical appointments and postpone treatment. Moreover, they struggle to access respite services and take breaks from their caring responsibilities. The majority only seek help when their situation deteriorates into crisis.

Amongst societal ‘core beliefs’ surrounding care is that a ‘Carer’ is healthy and able-bodied. Whilst society’s understanding of the adverse effects of ‘caregiver burden’ on the physical and mental health of unpaid Carers has improved, the assumption about the favourable health of the Carer prior to undertaking the caring role persists.

In undertaking this research, Connecting Carers look to increase early recognition of disabled Carers, ideally when they begin their caring role, so that they may access services and entitlements without descending into crisis first. They also seek to raise awareness of Carer disability amongst service providers, ensuring to the greatest possible extent, that their needs are considered within service design and provision.

Connecting Carers are connecting data through questionnaires, interviews and focus groups (advertised as Carer Conversations). Participation is open to all unpaid Carers living or caring for someone in Highland Local Authority. For those interested in participating, the link to the questionnaire is here. Details of focus groups are available on the Connecting Carers website.

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