Carers of the elderly in the community

A random sample of 657 over 70-year-olds from a large urban general practice in South Wales were interviewed to assess their physical, mental and social well-being. Questions were asked about the carers of these elderly people: which subjects had carers, the relationship of the carers to the subjects and the tasks that the carers performed.Spouses and daughters were by far the commonest carers and indeed the family bore the major part of the burden of caring for the elderly. Apart from home helps, statutory and voluntary services played minor roles in supporting the elderly in the community.