400,000 waiting for carers assessment – ADASS Spring Survey

The findings not only highlight the increasing complexity and costs of meeting people’s needs but also the extent to which the health of unpaid carers is being impacted, as they provide care and support which is otherwise unavailable.

88% of Directors agreed that unpaid carers are coming forward with an increased level of need in their local area over the past 12 months.

Our own research in 2023 revealed that only half of dementia carers have had a Carer’s Assessment.

This data shows that there are over 400,000 people waiting for an assessment, care to begin or an assessment of their needs.

Helen Pyper, Head of Policy & Campaigns said:

“These latest findings are deeply worrying. The situation is only going to get worse unless bold action is taken. We need honest conversations about how we provide and fund care and support. We have an ageing population. Dementia prevalence is increasing. Unpaid carers are struggling to cope. Individuals are not getting the support they desperately need. We urgently need to consider what our priorities are for care provision and how we can make sure that funding for these is sustainable.”