Factors associated with the identification and well-being of hidden and confirmed carers: a dyad analysis

Growing numbers of older people living with disability or long-term conditions are being cared for by family members and friends on an informal, unpaid basis. "Hidden carers," who provide care to another person but either do not recognize their role or consciously reject it, are overlooked by policymakers and services that rely on self-identification.

We compare reports of informal care provision and receipt between dyads of household members in Understanding Society to identify hidden (N = 5,615) vs. confirmed (N = 3,129) informal carers and explore their characteristics and well-being outcomes.

Hidden carers tended to support someone with fewer limitations or difficulties, but were more likely to be in need/in receipt of informal care themselves. Informal carers who were receiving formal care or caring for someone who had more contact with health and care professionals were more likely to identify their caring role; however, the same was not true for their own contact with health services. Compared with confirmed carers, hidden carers had better mental health and greater life satisfaction, and, among couples, were happier with their relationship with their partner for whom they cared.

Identification of informal carers is a priority for policymakers, but self-identification is complex, with potentially contradictory barriers. Focusing on caring activities rather than relying on self-identification may be a more acceptable means of identifying informal carers who are in need of support.