CARERS - SOCIAL AND COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION
Connecting with communities, family and friends is important for both carers and care recipients. Depending on the level of commitment in terms of time and resources required by their caring roles, this can be challenging for some carers. The SDAC collects data about primary carers’ social, community and civic participation, including without their main recipient of care.
In 2012, while almost all primary carers (93%) had participated in one or more social activities away from their home in the three months prior to the survey, just under three quarters had done so without the person they cared for (72%). The hours of care provided each week affected primary carers’ participation in activities outside of the home, particularly in relation to participating without the main recipient of care. Those caring for 40 hours or more per week were less likely to have participated in social activities away from the home in the last three months, without the person they care for, than those who spent less than 20 hours caring per week (61% compared with 81%). (Tables 46 and 47)
Three quarters of primary carers reported participation in at least one cultural or physical activity, away from the home, in the previous 12 months, and 60% reported they had done so without the person they care for. However, those who provided care for more than 40 hours each week were less likely to have participated than those who provided care for less than 20 hours per week (47% compared with 73%). (Tables 46 and 47)
Similar to the general population, a primary carer's participation in selected cultural or physical activities, away from the home, decreased as they got older (84% of 15 to 34 year olds reported having participated in at least one activity, compared with 70% of older people). In contrast, a primary carer's active involvement in community, governance or civic groups was not affected by age. (Tables 46 and 47)
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