Unpaid carers have shared the top qualities they believe are needed in order to take on the role – including patience (65%), emotional strength (51%), and excellent time management (34%).
A poll of 500 unpaid carers revealed it took them up to six months to fully adapt to the duties and responsibilities of caring – as 89% were unprepared for how much of their time and effort it would take up.
The top things they were not prepared for – that they wish they had known at the start – include what financial support is available, and how to manage the emotional toll of caring.
How to keep your energy levels up, become a pro at multi-tasking, and batch-cook meals, are other bits of advice they wish someone had told them beforehand.
When it comes to the top tips carers would pass on to others in their position, 56% would advise taking things one day at a time – and 52% also said it is important for carers to take time to themselves, when possible.
The research was commissioned by Smart Energy GB, whose spokeswoman, Phillippa Brown, said: “Starting your caring journey can be daunting, but also incredibly rewarding.
“Six months can be a long time to get settled into caregiving, with so much to keep on top of and manage for the person you look after.
“That's why it’s vital that unpaid carers know what support and tools are available to help them.
“From simple things like getting a smart meter installed for the person you look after to ensure their meter readings are sent automatically, to joining local carer networks – it all adds up, and can make the task that little bit easier.”
Nearly six in ten (58%) believe it is “very important” for unpaid carers to be open and talk to one another to share advice.
For 60% of these, they do this to feel like they aren’t alone, while 57% want to make a strong support network to get through difficult periods.
Just over half (51%) want to share practical tips that will help make care tasks easier, and 43% would like to make friends who are in a similar position.
Meanwhile, 47% also say that spending quality time with the person in their care, not just on admin or tasks, is important as well, according to the OnePoll.com findings.
And 89% of unpaid carers said they have learned something valuable from the experience, that they have since applied to their own lives.
Nearly three-quarters (73%) of unpaid carers said a smart meter and in-home display had helped them to manage energy bills for someone else – with 32% saying a smart meter has saved them some time when managing their loved one’s energy bills.
And a quarter would recommend one to others in the same situation.
Phillippa Brown, from Smart Energy GB, added: “It’s clear from the OnePoll research that so many just weren’t prepared for the challenges of being a carer – but also, half of those looking after someone hadn’t had advice from people in similar situations.
“I hope that hearing what has helped people thrive as caregivers will help others who are doing the same.”
THE TOP 14 THINGS UNPAID CARERS WISH THEY’D KNOWN AT THE START:
- What financial support is available
- How to manage the emotional toll of caring
- How to make sure you still have time for yourself
- How to make sure you still spend time with the person you care for, not doing care tasks
- How to keep your energy levels up
- How to multitask effectively
- How to keep track of medication
- How to understand how someone is feeling, without verbal communication
- How to manage their household energy bills
- How to manage other household spending
- How to change a bed quickly
- How to fold down a wheelchair and get it in the car
- The best way to batch-cook meals
- That you can use a disabled parking badge if you are driving on behalf of a disabled person
