New research shows rural areas are among those to be hardest hit by Scotland’s care crisis over the next decade, as a ‘later living marketplace’ calls for the Scottish government to call time on its ‘heavy dependence on the unpaid work of women’.

Dumfries and Galloway, followed by Na h-Eileanan Siar and Argyle and Bute, has emerged as the region set to be most impacted by issues facing the social care sector over the next decade.

South Ayrshire, the Scottish Borders, the Orkney Islands and Angus almost make the top 7 regions set to be hardest hit.

New research by Lottie – a free service that helps older people and their families find the best care homes and retirement living communities – has identified a lack of support for carers and the ageing population.

According to its recent report, the crisis is likely to worsen further.

As many as one in six of people in Scotland currently have caregiving responsibilities for loved ones. Lottie predicts this will increase by 25% over the next ten years.

Almost a third of carers responding to the Scottish government’s annual health and care survey that they did not feel supported to continue caring.

Carers are more likely to experience poorer health and poverty, and the cost of living crisis is making the situation even worse for many: one in four carers in Scotland have already reported cutting back on food and heat as a result of rising prices.

Will Donnelly, Lottie co-founder, echoes calls from national carer organisations for the Scottish government to provide urgent financial support for carers – including delivering on a promise of an energy bill freeze.

“Our research found the majority of unpaid carers across Scotland are women - most often juggling work commitments and caregiving responsibilities. The highest number of female unpaid carers that will be impacted by the country’s care crisis live in the Orkney Islands and Scottish Borders regions.

“The pressure of juggling work and care commitments can often build up leaving unpaid carers at greater risk of experiencing mental health concerns such as, stress and anxiety.

“Now more than ever Scotland's social care sector is in desperate need of practical, financial, and emotional support – without relying on the unpaid work of women, before we see the country’s caregiving crisis spiral.”

In its research, Lottie used demographic information to analyse the generational split, the average age of residents and the percentage of unpaid carers across Scotland, where rural areas emerged as those most likely to feel the growing effects of the care crisis.

Accessing care and support in remote locations can be especially challenging according to the organisation, due to limited transport options and number of available professional care workers and services.

The island region Na h-Eileanan Siar (or the Outer Hebrides) has just six care homes for older adults across the region, with close to one in five of its population currently providing unpaid care.

Mr Donnelly says the Scottish government must “act fast” to improve the access and quality of health and social services across Scotland, with a focus on transport links across rural areas and increasing care spending.

Boosting the social care workforce must also be a priority, according to Mr Donnelly. He suggests the creation of a sector-specific minimum wage and desirable career progression schemes would move Scotland in a better direction.

Vacancies within Scotland’s care sector have risen by more than 10% in a year, as providers face acute challenges in filling posts within care homes and care at home services.

The social care workforce regulator, Scottish Social Services Council, told the Scottish parliament’s Health, Social Care and Sport Committee that it thinks around a third to a half of new starts to the sector leave within the first six months.

 

Severity of crisis rank given by Lottie’s research:

1. Dumfries and Galloway
2. Na h-Eileanan Siar
3. Argyll and Bute
4. South Ayrshire
5. Scottish Borders
6. Orkney Islands
7. Angus

 

 

Read more: Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry core participants revealed; Inquiry: Social work systems “exhausting” for carers; Impact of cost crisis similar to pandemic

 

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