1. Malnutrition and carers Heléna Herklots Chief Executive Carers UK

2. Carers 6.5 million carers in the UK 1 in 8 adults have caring responsibilities 58% women / 42% men 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men aged 50-64 are carers. 1.2 million carers over the age of 65 – 35% increase since 2001 (fastest growing group)

3. State of Caring survey 2013 84% of carers surveyed said that caring has a negative impact on health. Up from 74% in 2011/12

4. State of Caring survey 2013 6 out of 10 carers worry about the diet of the person they are caring for Less than half (48%) had received nutritional advice for the person they care for 86% wanted information early to help them care better

5. State of Caring “You are watching someone disappear in front of your eyes. You just feel helpless.”

6. State of Caring “ You have another person’s life in your hands and you become the judge of what to do for the best.”

7. State of Caring survey 2013 6 out of 10 carers said they had neglected their own diet as a result of caring: Why? 66% said that they eat the wrong foods because they get depressed 46% said that they don’t have time to prepare balanced meals 28% said lack of time meant they didn’t eat enough 34% said that they couldn’t afford to eat a healthy diet

8. Supporting carers Information and advice Support and training Access to expertise Follow-up care

9. Further information www.carersuk.org Advice Line 0808 808 7777 helena.herklots@carersuk.org