For many people, caring for a loved one is simply part of life. It may mean helping an ageing parent, supporting a family member with a disability or being there for someone living with a long-term illness.
But while unpaid carers spend so much time looking after others, their own health and wellbeing can easily take a back seat.
A September 2026 report from the Department of Health and Social Care highlights the scale of this challenge. Its Survey of Adult Carers in England 2025–2026, which received responses from more than 43,000 unpaid carers, found that only 46% felt able to look after themselves by getting enough sleep or eating well. Almost one in five felt they were neglecting themselves, while 25.7% said they had developed their own health conditions as a result of their caring responsibilities.
Read the full government report on unpaid carers in England.
These findings highlight something important: caring can demand so much time, energy and attention that personal wellbeing becomes difficult to prioritise. Rest, social connections and even attending personal health appointments can become challenging.
Making room for carers’ own wellbeing
Supporting carers should also mean recognising that they need support themselves. Having access to someone to talk to, confidential guidance and practical wellbeing resources can make a difference when responsibilities become overwhelming.
Shoorah can contribute through its Employee Assistance Programme, which includes dedicated carer and family support, confidential 24/7 counselling and advice, and self-help resources.
For employers supporting staff who balance work with caring responsibilities, these services offer an additional route to professional support without requiring employees to navigate everything alone.
Of course, wellbeing resources cannot replace respite care, practical assistance or the wider support carers need. But they can help make looking after their own wellbeing part of the conversation.
Because caring for someone else should never mean forgetting to care for yourself.
