NHS body launched to support our army of 'hidden' carers

There are 516,546 people in the region who take care of someone, such as an elderly parent or disabled family member.

But 347,637 of them do not see themselves as carers, and are not known to health or care organisations.

This army of "hidden" carers often persevere alone, spending 20 hours or more a week looking after loved ones without seeking any assistance or support from organisations who can help them.

The hidden carers are now being encouraged to call the Carers Direct helpline (0808 802 02 02) to find out what practical and financial support may be available.

Chairman of the Standing Commission of Carers Dame Philippa Russell said: "Without help and support, before long you can find yourself struggling with what can be very physical and mental demands, trying to balance work and home life, and potentially risking your own health and wellbeing as a result.

"It is important that carers are aware that there is help out there."

One such carer who has found help is Michael Hawkins, who thought he would be playing golf and planning holidays with his wife Muriel when he retired.

Instead he is providing 24-hour care after she was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's aged just 61.

Life is not always easy – Muriel has to be fed and can't even get out of bed – but Mr Hawkins, from Harrogate, says her constant smile keeps him going. The former managing director of P Garnett & Son of Otley, said: "The real problems didn't come on until she had it for about three years but then we suddenly found she couldn't go on holiday and that was a plan for the retirement, that we would go on a lot more holidays.

"I couldn't play golf, another plan I had.

"I found I'd come out of a career, which was a business career, and suddenly I was launched into another career as a full-time carer."

Luckily he had some early insight into services for carers via his daughter who was working at the time for Carers Resource, in Harrogate.

By dint of hard work, persuasion and sheer stubbornness he now has an "excellent" care package, allowing him two weeks respite out of every five, when Muriel goes into a care home.